Phillips Back! But Should He Be?

Two years ago he looked poised to be the next starting quarterback of the Wisconsin Badgers. Scott Tolzein, and Curt Phillips settled to the backup role. Now after tearing his ACL in spring ball, Phillips has been cleared to play, but at the third string level.

The major question is of course...should he be listed on the active roster? Yes Wisconsin could use a third string quarterback just in case the Badger offensive line becomes the Bears offensive line. But is it the right move to lose a year of eligibility for the likely starter in 2011 on a season that he will most likely not see any action.

In order for Phillips to pick up a "medical red shirt" or the more technical Medical Hardship Waiver he would need to not play in 20% of the Badgers schedule. There in lies one of the first questions...could Phillips have qualified from the backup quarterback position where he would already be missing that much time? That is a question that is not easily answered by the NCAA guidelines.

Phillips would qualify for a "medical red shirt" in one of the provisions because he would be applying for the waiver within his first four years as a college athlete. Again this raises another questio though; would he qualify for a "medical red shirt" after already taking the standard red shirt season as a freshman? That question is again not answered clearly in the NCAA qualifications for a "medical red shirt."

Indeed there are many questions about whether or not Phillips would have recieved a "medical red shirt," thus preserving another year of eligibility. While we can ask the questions, fans have to trust the people that have these rules memorized...the coaches and trainers.

Phillips will also be a valuable assett in case of a disaster hits the Wisconsin quarterbacks this season. He adds another line of defense in case of an injury to Scott Tolzein, and Jon Budmayr. While the Badgers do have a forth string quarterback in Nate Tice, turning to him may be a devastating as needing Phillips to step on the field with a bad knee.

Week 5 Poll: Badgers Drop. Longhorns Out.

Yet another wild weekend in college football, and yet another shake up in our poll. How far did Wisconsin drop? Who's out of the top 25? Did Oregon move up? And is Michigan finally in? Guess you'll just have to keep reeding to find out.

Who's Down!

Wisconsin

As painful as it is the Badgers have dropped in this week's poll. While it may not be as much as the AP and coaches polls dropped them it is still significant. The Badgers were clearly outplayed in East Lansing last weekend; especially on special teams. Kick coverage for the Badgers has been an achiles heel, and without correcting that problem the Badgers could continue to drop. But there is still plenty of opporunities to move up with games against Ohio State and Iowa still on the docket.

Who's Out!

Texas

It's been a long twelve months for Mack Brown and his Longhrons. So far in 2010, Texas has lost the national championship, and now has lost two consecutive games. The two losses may seem like a losing streak for many Texas fans, and being knocked out of the Boynton's Badgers Top 25 must be absolutely devastating. With a lack of a running game, and a defense that a times can seem like a sieve; the Longhorns have a team that isn't worthy of being in the top 25. If it were a top 26 they would still probably be in, but unfortunately that is not the case.

Who's Up!

Michigan State

The Wisconsin win is huge for the Spartans, and with that they are one of the biggest movers this week. The Spartans feature a team that seems balanced on both sides of the ball. The defense, while not one of the absolute best, is still good enough to keep the Spartans in close games. Having a quarterback like Kirk Cousins is a huge asset on any team. In the Wisconsin game he continually made solid decisions that kept drives moving. The Spartans are starting to look like a strong team, but they can't get too excited about last week. Michigan is next.

Who's In!

Michigan

Yes, the Wolverines have finally made it to the top 25. After weeks of being held out because of disbelief in the competition, the Wolverines finally appear in the poll. While there are still some question marks surrounding Big Blue they are mostly over-shaddowed by Denard Robinson. The sophomore quarterback is starting to look like the Heisman front-runner, and right now he is single handedly carrying the Wolverines. While they are winning close games on his back, it will be the Michigan defense that is this teams problem spot.

The Poll

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Boise State

4. Oregon

5. TCU

6. Nebraska

7. Oklahoma

8. Arizona

9. Auburn

10. Miami (FL)

11. Utah

12. Florida

13. LSU

14. Iowa

15. Arkansas

16. Michigan State

17. Wisconsin

18. Arkansas

19. Stanford

20. Florida State

21. Oklahoma State

22. Michigan

23. Nevada

24. USC

25. Missouri

My Take: Is it time to panic? No!

I couldn't help myself. I needed to hear it. I listened to the talking heads on the radio after the Michigan State game, but is it time to panic quite yet? No!

There is plenty left to play for this season. There is nothing I hate more than the people that think that you need to win every game for it to be a great season. Take a look at Wisconsin football history...no Wisconsin team has ever went undefeated and won the Rose Bowl.

With games against teams like Ohio State, Iowa, and Michigan left this season, there are still plenty of chances to win a Big Ten championship. If you win those three games along with the games they should already win you should have a shot at an at-large BCS game bid.

Some "experts" in college football say that it is better to lose early. Is that the case? Only time will tell. But it isn't completely obvious that this season is completely over. The magical season is lost. The Rose Bowl is lost.

The truth is that with wins over big powerhouse teams gets Wisconsin back into the conference title, and ultimately the BCS game, conversation. This season is by no means lost.

What Went Wrong?

It could have been a huge win for Bucky, but it ended being nothing short of a nightmare. A bad dream that seems all to familiar.

While Sparty's offense looked solid early in the game, they were unable to punch it in, and settled for field goals on two drives that looked promising. Wisconsin then went down and James White punched one in the endzone. Bucky was leading 10-3, and it looked like Wisconsin was about to take control. Then the special teams came back on the field.

Follwing a Michigan State field goal, Wisconsi was forced to punt. Another special teams play that would come back to haunt the Badgers. Keyshawn Martin took it the distance, and Wisconsin was now down 13-10. Still a close game, but that is when the offense turned stagnant, and the Michigan State offense came alive. Scoring another touchdown giving them a 20-10 lead heading into halftime.

The Wisconsin offense would be able to answer right off the bat in the second half with a touchdown after a big defensive stop to start the third quarter. Then the defense would yet again falter. The Spartans would answer that score with a touchdown, and would answer the next Wisconsin touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The failing in the fourth quarter would be the defense. Unable to get off the field on multiple occasions on third down, and the Spartans put together a eight minute drive that essentially ended the game. Wisconsin left with only two minutes left in the game were unable to answer and the Spartans went on to the victory.

So far this season it has been the special teams that has either won the game, or lost the game. In the Arizona State game it was almost the special teams that lost it after a kick-off return for a touchdown, and a near catastrophe right before half time with another big kick return. Then late in the forth quarter Jay Valai blocked an extra point that led the Badgers to a 19-20 victory.

In the Michigan State game it was again special teams that gave up the big play, and this time the Badgers were unable to recover. The punt return by Keyshawn Martin came at a huge point in the game. Wisconsin had the crowd back out of the game. They were taking the momentumn in the game. The punt return ended all of that.

Without addressing the special teams concerns, what seemed like a great season could become a below average one. It's not without saying that this is impossible, but with Ohio State and Iowa looming down the road...the problems will need to be fixed soon.

Week 4: Games of the Week

This week is another one of those weeks that isn't great, but on the other hand it isn't that bad either. There are some great games on the slate, but the potential upsets are here and far between. So this week we're choosing games that may not be upsets, but at the same time should still be entertaining.

The Red River Rivalry

Texas vs. Oklahoma

While it isn't the same game that we've become accustomed to watching this year...it should still be a good game regardless. The Longhorns come into this game needing a win bad after their loss to UCLA last week. The Sooners on the other hand do not want to lose to their rival the week after that "shocker" took place. Both teams are not without their problems, and who ever can correct those problems the soonest should prevail in this one.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

This year we're going with the Sooners. While Oklahoma does not have an impressive pass defense, they do have a solid enough defense to keeep the Longhorns down. The Texas running game has been abismal this season, and not being able to run the football in this game will come back to haunt the Longhorns. Texas will try to go to the air for the most part, but without a solid ground game this one should be easier for the Sooner defense than in years past.

Put Up of Shut Up!

Virginia Tech @ NC State

Who would have thought that coming into this game it would be the Wolf Pack that would be the ranked team, and the favorite to win. Well the answer is probably not a lot of people. Since their tough loss to Boise State, and even more devastating loss to James Madison the Hokies have been looking for a stztement game, and this may be it. But don't let the titles fool you...NC State can play. The win on the road at Georgia Tech last week was a huge one, and they have the momentum before this one even starts.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

While NC State's win last week at Georgia Tech was huge...this win will be bigger for the Hokies. After the loss to James Madison, Virginia Tech has been searching for that big win, and this week may be it. Expect the Hokies to come out strong and hungry in this one, and as we've seen so many times in college football; the team that wants it the most will come out with the win. Not to mention the talent on Virginia Tech should be enough to put them over the edge, but this will be another close one for the Hokies.

Top Ten Throwdown!

Stanford @ Oregon

If you looked at the schedule for this season last year you'd probably think that Florida-Alabama would be the best game of the weekend. Nope...not at all. The best game this week should be between Stanford and Oregon. Both teams feature solid offenses, and Stanford brings a potential Heisman Trophy candidate to the party. While there are mixed opinoins about whether Stanford is a top ten team, there is not much argument to them being a good team. Oregon on the other hand is starting to look like a BCS darkhorse, and a Stanford win could make them that darkhorse as well.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

This game comes down to defenses. Stanford's defense on paper looks like the better of the two, but in reality it's Oregon in this matchup. So far this season Stanford has not played a team quite like Oregon, but when their opponents ran plays similar to the Ducks' playbook the Cardinal got burned. And the best defense against a quarterback like Andrew Luck is to keep him off the field, and that is exactly what the Ducks will do. Not to mention playing in Autzen Stadium doesn't hurt either.

Big Ten Battle!

Wisconsin @ Michigan State

An interesting game to say the least. The home team has won the last five matchups between the Badgers and Spartans, and these games tend to be close (with the exception of last season). This game also features the tenth best rushing offense (Wisconsin) versus the tenth best rushing defense (Michigan State). So something has to give.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

Now this isn't a "homer" pick but it is a Wisconsin victory. The key in this game is the rushing defense of Michigan State, which one paper looks solid, but in reality isn't as good as it seems. So far this season the Spartans have played the 99th, 112th, and 114th rushing offenses in the country. Not by any means solid rushing attacks by any stretch of the imagination. This game should still be close, but expect Wisconsin to pound the football and keep their defense fresh.

Video of the Week: The New Airline Safety Instructions

If you've ever flown more than twice, you have probably ignored the safety instructions at least one of those times. While the pre-flight safety talk is a needed piece of information most people don't really pay attention, and frequent fliers could probably recite it for you anyways.

So how do you get people to actually pay attention during the pre-flight instructions. Well Cebu Pacific, a phillipines airliner, has that figured out. Just watch and you'll proably pay more attention to the pre-flight instructions than you have ever before.

While it's not a sports video...for this week's Video of the Week we give you: "The New Safety Dance."

...sorry Men Without Hats...you have been replaced...

Bucky's House of Horrors

It is now officially October, and that means it is time for gools, goblins, and haunted houses. For the first conference game for the Badgers they are heading into one of those haunted houses.

The first stinging memory that many Badger fans may have of the house of horrors is when Wisconsin was undefeated in 2004...until they went on the road to East Lansing. Spartan Stadium was electric back in 2004 with the opportunity to take down the number four, and undefeated Wisconsin Badgers. The game started off how every Wisconsin fan wanted it too...a breakaway from Anthony Davis for a touchdown, but that all changed as the game went on.

Wisconsin went on to lose that game, and then lost to Iowa in the season finale. A season that at one time seemed like a dream that could finally put Wisconsin in the National Championship game was over. Bucky then went on to lose to Georgia in the Outback Bowl, and a new rivalry was born.

For a long time the Michigan State game was as important as anyother. It just looked like any other game on the schedule. Now it is a game that some Badger fans fear...especially when it means going on the road to East Lansing.

The same should be said for Spartan fans, because the recent history between the two has not been good for them at Camp Randall either.

The 2004 game for the Spartans was a major victory, but when it comes to winning in Madison the Spartans have failed. The same way that the Badgers have failed to win in East Lansing. Over the last five meetings between the Spartans and Badgers the home team has won all of them.

In 2008, the last time Bucky traveled to East Lansing, Wisconsin blew a 13 point lead. Sparty rallied to victory after a final second field goal. The following year on the other hand Bucky held on after a few late scores by the Spartans for a victory.

This year the Badgers will be looking to perform a exorcism on the road. With a solid running game, and the return of their top two recievers, this may be the best shot Bucky has had to eliminate the demons in East Lansing. While it may be October, it isn't halloween quite yet...so it is not completely impossible.