Rose Bowl!!

The University of Wisconsin Badgers football team (a.k.a., "badass honey badgers") is headed for the 2012 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, following last night's grueling 42-39 win over (yuk...ptouie!) Michigan State in the inaugural Big 10 Championship game. It's the second year in a row the Badgers have represented the Big 10 in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers will play PAC-12 winner Oregon on January 2. Go Badgers!

We anxiously await the bowl assignment (Sugar?) for the University of Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

UPDATE: It's the Sugar Bowl (vs. Virginia Tech) for Michigan!

On Wisconsin!

Badger football fans (us included) are celebrating last night's huge win over #1 ranked Ohio State. The final score was Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 18. Wisconsin's David Gilreath set the tone for the night when he returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and #18 Wisconsin led the rest of the game behind the running of John Clay and James White, and quarterback Scott Tolzien. Great effort all around.

Here's their famous fight song (apologies in advance for the shameless boosterism and to our family's Michigan grads)

Whew, That Was Close!

The 12th seeded University of Wisconsin Badgers toughed out a 61-59 win in overtime over the fifth seeded Florida State University Seminoles last night. Badger stars Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannan pulled the game out in the final minutes by three point shooting (Bohannan) and a last second layup (Hughes). Next up: Xavier, a very tough opponent with depth and athletic ability. Here's hoping for another upset.

(photo: yours truly after a rough day)

The Incredibly Shrinking Badgers

Some of the Hackwhackers family are happy and some are sad with the results of yesterday's game between Wisconsin and Michigan. Final score: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25. A very sloppy game ended with Michigan showing a lot more desire than the flat Badgers, whose offense was pathetic in the second half. (Note to self: control anger, be happy that other members of your family are rejoicing)

Ohio State and Penn State are coming up in Madison, so the Badgers will need spinal implants to prevail.

(image: the shrunken Wisconsin "W")

Quotes of the Week

"President Bush is encouraging scientific advancement within ethical boundaries" -- the White House statement on the breakthrough in stem cell research, attempting to give the Preznit some undue credit.

"My feeling is that the political controversy set the field back four to five years" -- Dr. James Thomson, the University of Wisconsin researcher responsible for the breakthrough, adding in reference to Bush's research funding cuts that they are "very bad public policy as far as I'm concerned."

Stem Cell Breakthrough At UW

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe they have developed a means to create stem cells without having to use embryonic stem cells. Similar advancements have been reported today at Kyoto University, as research labs rush to develop viable alternative technologies for stem cell development. Using cells generated from the foreskin of a newborn, the UW researchers, led by Dr. James Thomson, have been able to use viruses to cause the cells to regenerate, creating younger stem cells. The breakthrough has potential implications for treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease victims, and more wide ranging medical applications.

Good day to be UW alumni.

5 and 0, and Fifth

While their play, especially on defense, hasn't inspired total confidence, the Wisconsin Badgers are undefeated after 5 games, and are ranked fifth by the AP and Coaches' Poll. They also have the nation's longest collegiate football winning streak going at 14. We'll enjoy it while we can.

"Old School"

As a couple of old school Wisconsin alums, the Hackwhackers always take pride in the recognition of other Badgers (Ann [M]Althouse notwithstanding!). This week's Sports Illustrated has a featured article by Peter King ("Old School") that gives a nice profile of future first round NFL draft pick Joe Thomas. Thomas, 6'6" and 313-pounds, is a hard-working, well-prepared and physically gifted student athlete who will grace the offensive line of some lucky NFL team for a long time. King's profile also has some nice nice things to say about Madison, UW, and the football program.

On Wisconsin!

As alums, Hackwhackers must take this opportunity to congratulate the 26-2 University of Wisconsin Badgers on their first-ever #1 ranking (AP) in men's college basketball!! The Badgers, under their fine coach Bo Ryan, have the country's best winning percentage (.929) and most wins for the season so far. They face a tough test against Michigan State tonight in East Lansing. Go Badgers!