Saturday at 5 p.m. the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines will meet for the 59th time in the schools' histories.
This game marks the conference opener of the season and the Badgers' first real hurdle of the season in their attempt to repeat last year's success. However, history may not be in their favor.
Wisconsin is 10-47-1 all-time against Michigan and has not come out with a win since 1993. The rivalry with Michigan is second only to the bitter and passionate animosity the Badgers have for Minnesota.
This promises to be an intense and physical game against Michigan, and it immediately follows a season-opening series played against less-than-stellar opponents (the Badgers led the nation in scoring through the first two weeks of the season). Wisconsin won't be able to get away with as many mistakes, miscues and missed opportunities as it has up to this point. There is a balance of attitudes on the team: a focus on improving sloppy play, but also on beating a tough conference opponent.
\I'm still kind of new to the program,"" said junior running back Brian Calhoun, who transferred last year from Colorado State and had to sit out for the 2004 season due to NCAA rules. ""I don't really know too much about the rivalry. I know a lot of guys really don't like Michigan at all.""
Some players' connections to Michigan are more personal.
""Michigan was one of my choices going to school. It's going to be a big rival for me and the whole team,"" said sophomore defensive lineman Nick Hayden.
The Badgers have allowed an average of 10.9 points per game at Camp Randall Stadium, including the shutout of Temple two weeks ago, but also Bowling Green's 42-point effort in the season-opener.
Moveover, the Badgers are tied for the lead in the Big Ten with 12 sacks, sophomore defensive linemen Nick Hayden and Kurt Ware each registering three. They have not allowed a touchdown in their last two games and have allowed only nine second-half points this season.
The offense has also done reasonably well this season, but has gotten away with some sloppy play against lower-caliber teams. But there are some standout players who will factor into Saturday's game.
Calhoun leads the nation in scoring at this point and is the country's No. 3 rusher and No. 4 in all-purpose yards. Senior wide receiver Owen Daniels was a preseason Street & Smith honorable mention All-American and junior quarterback John Stocco, 12-3 as a starter, is ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten in pass efficiency.
They will be up against some stiff competition in Michigan. Running back Mike Hart, a freshman last year, was one of four finalists in the Heisman race and is back again as a sophomore. Senior wide receive Steve Breaston is chasing Wisconsin's favorite underdog Jim Leonard's record for career punt return yards, needing only 334 more to be the conference leader.
Both teams have players with potential to come up big, but head coach Barry Alvarez noted at the press conference Monday that ""even a 'bad' Michigan team is a winning team.""
