Russell Wilson Wins the Heisman and the Badgers go to the Big Easy

This week in Madison, WI Russell Wilson is finally able to get the respect he deserves for the Heisman Trophy candidacy while beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 33-20 as he throws for 2TD’s and rushes for a 3^rd.

Although I have heard some (whispers) of Russell Wilson being in the running for the Heisman; I don’t believe he has gotten the credit he deserves with the likes of preseason favorite Andrew Luck off to a nice start this year.  This is the week that everyone starts talking about #16  after a nationally televised game Saturday evening.

This game puts Wisconsin on the map as they carve their own path to this year’s National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  The heady and athletic Russell Wilson will put those badgers on his back with a little assistance from Nick Toon, the O-line, and the talented backfield as they march their way through the Big 10 headed for the Big Easy.

With the taste of the Super Bowl still lingering in the mouths of Wisconsin natives; it looks as though they are poised for yet another helping of ultimate victory.  Only this time, the spoonful will come from the Russell Wilson led Wisconsin Badgers.

FIN

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Dear SportsT4nk,

This just in:

Both Wisconsin and Nebraska are just slightly better than average football teams….nothing more, nothing less

Signed,

Cgretts

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Dear Cgretts,

You are talking about the nationally ranked #7 Wisconsin Badgers and #20 Nebraska Cornhuskers who are HANDPICKED to play on national television at 8pm in primetime this Saturday 10/1/11?  HANDPICKED because they are, as you so stated, “slightly better than average”?  Really? You are trying to say that both are “just slightly better than average football teams…nothing more, nothing less? WOW!!  REALLY??!??!?!??!

Wisconsin has the #2 rated QB in the country, Nick Toon is 4^th in the country in receiving TD’s, they have the #5 rated overall offense who are also ranked #13 in the country in rushing yards/game and ranked #4 in the country in total scoring offense.  Nebraska has the #19 & #20 rated rushers in the country who is also ranked #22 in overall offense while they sit comfortably at #7 in the country when it comes to rushing yards/game.

These are two undefeated teams who hail from arguably the second toughest conference in the entire NCAA. 

Given these facts, I am guessing you thought perhaps I was referencing the UW/Eau Claire Blugolds vs. UN/Kearney Lopers.  Allow me to clarify, I don’t claim that Nebraska is headed for a National Title, but they are certainly ranked nationally among over 100 total teams; by my account that makes them better than average.  And, not just "slightly," might I add.

FIN

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Dear Mr. SportsT4nk,

Since you are “chock full o stats”

Why don’t you use your “search engine” to see who these two “slightly better than average teams” have played so far this year…

And please let me know what the final score of the Wisconsin v. Chattanooga College of Arts and Crafts was, I forget….

Thanks

P.S. – super stat guy –Nebraska is #8 in both the AP and Coaches, not #20

P.S.S. – I’ve watched Wisconsin play NOBODY twice this year and watched Nebraska play and STRUGGLE against a completely average Fresno St team AT HOME…you put either of these teams on the field with LSU or BAMA or Oklahoma = massacre….hence = slightly better than average teams playing on National TV this Saturday…oh I’m sorry…HANDPICKED…

Other 8 pm games Saturday:

Florida V Bama (also on Nat’l TV)

UNC V ECU (no one cares, unless you live in North Carolina)

Alcorn ST V Bama St (game with Nat’l Championship implications there)

N.D. V Purdue (I predict 41 turnovers in this game…39 for N.D.)

New Mexico V New Mex St (ALWAYS a classic)

Miss St V Fresno St (like Patriots v Jets rivalry)

UCLA V Stanford (awesome game ….if it was the 70’s)

Oregon St V ASU (two powerhouses here)

With ALL these other AMAZING 8pm games on Saturday night, I can’t see why the Badgers and Huskers were HANDPICKED to play on Nat’l TV….it must be because of how AMAZING both teams are given all the other good games going on…excellent point….

Yours in TOTAL disagreement,
Cgretts

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Dear Mr. Cgretts,

Have you taken the time to read your rebuttal?  Have you?!!?

First of all, thanks for proving my point that Nebraska is a good team.  Not the #20 Nebraska, but the #8 Nebraska…you fell right into that trap.  Point for me.

Secondly, there are two games on Nat’l TV at 8pm.  The Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators and the Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

These two games are HANDPICKED to be on Nat’l TV in PRIMETIME because of the audience they will bring.  They won’t bring an audience because they are “slightly better than average teams.”  But because they are both Conference matchups of teams ranked in the top 10 in the country.  The other ridiculous games you listed that are being played at 8pm won’t even be noticed because, well, they are not broadcasted on national television conglomerates like ABC & ESPN. 

The last 3 games you list won’t even be on until 2am in the morning on Sunday when the rest of the country will be sleeping after watching two heavyweights slug it out in the Big 10.

Oh yeah, guess what else?  Go ahead, guess?  College Gameday on ESPN…ever heard of it?  Yeah, well, guess where they will be broadcasting this Saturday?  That’s right, WISCONSIN!  Now, why do you think they are not broadcasting the college football Saturday preview from Alabama St?  Well, mostly cause they can’t find it on the map and secondly because nobody cares.

And, you want to talk about who these teams played so far.  Well, this just in All-Star; they haven’t played anyone to speak of yet because top teams in the country NEVER PLAY ANYONE TO SPEAK OF IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE YEAR.  They do that on purpose.  However, take Wisconsin for example; they have scored no fewer than 35 points this year and in 3 of their first 5 games they scored 50+ points while allowing a combined total of 34 points.  So, although you are right about who they have played; you must also take into account that they beat those teams quite handily – AS THEY SHOULD.

In addition, Nebraska has played some teams from the Pac-12 thus far while having a total point differential of +83 and scoring no fewer than 38 points in any of their first four games.  Oh yeah, they did this with starters DT Jarred Crick, LB Levonte David, and CB Alfonzo Dennard on the bench. 

So while both teams have yet to play any real tough competition they have both won all of their games while doing so handily; even though Nebraska has been without 3 big time starters on defense.

FIN

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Ahhhh….SportsT4nk,

Falling into the trap:

You BELIEVING that preseason rankings mean ANYTHING in CFB (those are where these two teams started and are currently)  Oregon was #3 (not anymore) Florida St started #5 (now has two losses)  Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, USC, Mich St ALL in the preseason top 25 but not anymore,  SO being ranked #8 does NOT make you a good team, it simply means you haven’t played anyone yet..(see my earlier email)  but excellent point again….(point for me)

#2 – My point was the ONLY reason they are on Nat’l TV is because of a lack of a better alternative, NOT because they are great teams…which was further proved by saying they were on TV because of the audience they bring (YOU said that), NOT how good they are…(point for me)

Last year gameday was at Columbus for OSU vs. Miami for two HIGHLY ranked powerhouses early in the year….OSU went on to lose to Wisconsin as the #1 team in the country and Miami finished 8-4.  The rankings make the COVERAGE but in no way does that mean the teams are GOOD – man, I am completely baffled that you don’t understand this concept….

College Gameday this year:

LSU V Oregon = Oregon DRILLED

Mich V N.D. = great game, NOW one team is unranked and the other is #19

Okla V FSU = TWO top 10 teams who had “YET TO PLAY ANYONE AND DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THEIR EARLY GAMES” – YET NOW ONE HAS LOST THE #1 RANKING AND THE OTHER LOST THEIR NEXT GAME TO CLEMSON AND IS ON A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK AFTER BEING PRESEASON #5….

Awesome example about college gameday…hello?!..McFly?!…it’s about RATINGS, not how great, or in this case, NOT great…the teams are…man, I am truly baffled…Hey buddy, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you!!!! LOL.

“Well, this just in All-Star; they haven’t played anyone to speak of yet because top teams in the country NEVER PLAY ANYONE TO SPEAK OF IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE YEAR.  They do that on purpose” – OK

LSU V Oregon week 1?

LSU V WVU at WVU last week?

Oklahoma V FSU at FSU week 3?

Bama V PSU at PSU Week 2?

OKLA St V Texas AM at Texas A&M last week?

Boise St V Georgia at Georgia Dome week 1?

ANOTHER great point…FYI…the teams above LSU, BAMA, OKLA, OKLA St and Boise ST are #1-6 in the rankings (excluding Stanford at #5)…ALL played big games so far…so be fair and be accurate and simply say “Nebraska and Wisconsin haven’t played anyone yet, not “all the top teams”….

Wow…SILLY of you to argue CFB with me…absolute sillyness and an exercise in futility…..

Signed,

I have better things to do with my time

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Dear Mr. Your Village Just Called, They're Missing an Idiot,


I feel as though you have done gone and strayed from my original point...

Allow me to reiterate. 

Point being:  Russell Wilson is the best QB nobody knows about, YET.  You can talk Andrew Luck, you can talk Case Keenum, you can even talk Kellen Moore or Robert Griffen III, but soon all the talk will be about Russell Wilson and the unbelievably balanced attack of the Wisconsin Badgers.

What are you going to do?  Double cover Nick Toon?  Blanket every Badger receiver like bread on toast?  Fine.  #16 will run it.  Oh, you don’t want #16 to run it.  Fine.  He will hand it to one of their 27 running backs and let them do the work behind an offensive line larger than the Hoover Dam.

Look, all I am trying to say is that the Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding athlete who epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.  How can anyone overlook my boy, Russell Wilson?  It takes hard work to be the #2 ranked QB in college football, it takes athleticism to be drafted by the Colorado Rockies, and it takes perseverance to switch schools, conferences, and ultimately a lifestyle.

Give Russell Wilson his due, give the Badgers their Big 10 title, and book their ticket to the Big Easy!

Nobly yours,

The SportsT4nk