2013 Rose Bowl Leadup

[MickeyDavis]

In the wake of Wisconsin’s dominating offensive performance against Nebraska in the Big Ten title game, two questions arose:

Where was that offense -- which produced 539 rushing yards, 640 total yards and nine touchdowns through a variety of formations and calls -- throughout the regular season?

Will Matt Canada be as aggressive and creative in the Rose Bowl against Stanford?

After discussing the topic with individuals close to the program in the last week, it appears UW fans should expect an aggressive play-caller.

In short, those discussions revealed that Canada was constrained by head coach Bret Bielema for most of the season.

Canada, who is joining the North Carolina State staff after the Rose Bowl, said Thursday he had a great working relationship with Bielema. He continues to insist injuries affected the performance of the offense at times and his play-calling is often determined by the relative strengths and weaknesses of the opponent.

“Every game is different,” he said. “Certain teams give you an ability to do this. Why didn’t he run this play more? It worked last game.
“Because it wouldn’t work this game. Because people have different schemes, different players, different strengths.”

However, sources close to the program insist Canada was able to convince Bielema to allow him to do his job in the Big Ten title game.

The results were stunning.

“He just poured it on them,” senior tailback Monte Ball said Thursday morning before practice. “He wasn’t holding back. He wanted to call every single thing in the playbook and he did.

“He had confidence that it would work and we had confidence as well.”

With Bielema at Arkansas and Barry Alvarez coaching the team in the Rose Bowl, Canada should feel free to call the type of game he wants.

[trwi7]

Stave is cleared to play but they're going with Phillips anyways. I don't like that.

[jakecronus8]

I do. Means they'll do what they should have been doing for years (with the exception of last year with RussellMania) which is stuffing the ball down throats.

[Kerb Hohl]

This one is so hard to predict.

Stanford, by body of work, is better than the Badgers, no doubt. Then you have this idea that the Badgers were better and didn't pull out all the stops in their playbook until late and could also be sitting at 11-2 or something right now. Then you've got the whole idea that the entire Badger coaching staff is leaving and in a bit of chaos.

No idea who I'd take. I was feeling a 60-35 loss against Oregon last year I think and was surprised that we hung around. I actually have a good feeling about this one but I have no clue.

Stanford is going to have to spend a ton of time preparing for that massive bevy of plays that Canada unleashed. That could be hell for them, even if the Badgers go more vanilla. It's in their minds and how they must scheme now.

[crkone]

I have a feeling that Canada is going to be auditioning for a bigger job than that of NC State with this game, and will want to pull out all the stops.

[LUKE23]

I'm going, so I'm pretty excited about this game. I think we play some inspired football and see a really close game.

[A Diddy2231]

Badgers lose this game due to turnover differential

[Turk Nowitzki]

Stave is cleared to play but they're going with Phillips anyways. I don't like that.

I think its fine but if we find ourselves playing from behind in the 2nd half and need to open up the passing game I would hope they don't hesitate to make a switch.

[RiotPunch]

Stave is cleared to play but they're going with Phillips anyways. I don't like that.

I'm good with the decision. Phillips has looked better and played very well in the B1G Championship. Stave, when in his groove, is the better QB-- but one has to think he will be pretty rusty.

Nice to have the luxury of pulling the plug on Phillips though, if he stinks up the joint or if he gets broken by Chase Thomas. Either way, it should be the Montee Ball Show.

[Kerb Hohl]

Badgers lose this game due to turnover differential

Badgers don't force many turnovers but also don't really turn it over.

Stanford forces a decent amount of turnovers but is also getting up there in their own turnovers.

Who knows, you could be right.

[Mags FTW]

Don't underestimate how much the guys will want to, "Win one for Barry".

[xTitan]

I do. Means they'll do what they should have been doing for years (with the exception of last year with RussellMania) which is stuffing the ball down throats.

That won't work against Stanford or any very quality BCS program, need to pass effectively to win.

[xTitan]

Don't underestimate how much the guys will want to, "Win one for Barry".

Don't underestimate how good Stanford is, since moving to Hogan they developed a very balanced offense in terms of ability to not only run, but pass effectively....Hogan can also run. Stanford's defense won't look foolish like Nebraska's defense, Stanford is fast and physical, simply running won't beat them

[Kerb Hohl]

I think he's joking.

[Bucksfans1and2]

I think we lose but keep it close.

[Ill-yasova]

I heard Ben Worgull from Badger Nation in an interview today and he said Alec James is wavering on his commitment. He's taking a trip to Oregon soon. It would be a massive hit to the program's future to lose a guy like him.