Paul Chryst is, like most Badger fans, convinced that Joel Stave's pass to Jazz Peavy was a TD that would have tied the game with Northwestern and would have left them an extra point away from taking a late lead and probably winning Saturday's game at Camp Randall. Even former Woodchucks broadcaster Jim Sannes, a Northwestern grad, thought it was a TD, but said he would take anything in the Wildcats favor to finally beat Wisconsin in Madison. They only people who didn't think it was a catch were the officials, the replay officials and now the Big Ten office who won't admit that the zebras blew the call. You can look at that relay film under a microscope if you want…slow it down frame by frame like the Zapruder film…and it's still a catch. Chryst complained twice to the Big Ten office about the call but got no relief on Monday. We have all seen the declining skills of officials in both the college ranks and especially the pros where it seems like there is a blown call or two in every game at this point It would seem that much of this is the speed of the game and how out of shape many of the officials are. It doesnt help when many of them fly in for the weekend from their desk jobs and then try and keep up with athletes that have honed their bodies and skills to a razors edge. Even the advent of replay, that was supposed to cure the mistakes of the human eye at full game speed, is lacking. Calls are still blown…fans at home are seeing the same replays that the officials are and are stumped by some of the decisions. I understand that many viewers don't know the rule book and will sometime jump to conclusions about what is and is not a violation (even some of the media guys who know the game pretty well had the fair catch rule wrong on Saturday…that's another stupid rule) but if what we saw on Saturday was not a catch under the rules (and I'm not admitting it was not) then the rules need to be changed. The Badgers got hosed and there is no doubt in my mind or Paul Chryst's.
It's ax week as the Badgers prepare for their annual butt-whipping of the Minnesota Gophers in the battle for Paul Bunyun's ax…one of the great trophy games in college football. Always look forward to this one.
I see that LSU and Les Miles are ready to part ways. Could it be possible for the Tigers to offer Bret Bielema the job and would he leave Arkansas? Think how sweet it would be for the Badgers to face an LSU squad next year coached by the big-mouthed Bielema. It would be too perfect and that's why it won't happen…but we can dream.
The Bucks finally played some D last night and held Detroit to just 88 points in a home win. They get Sacramento and former Badger Duje Dukan on Wednesday at the Bradley Center.
Happy Birthday to the Big O…Oscar Robertson is 77. One of my great childhood memories is listening to Eddie Doucette's radio call of the Bucks Championship season featuring Alcindor, Dandridge, and Oscar. you can make a good argument that Robertson is the best NBA player ever…at the very least in the conversation with Jordan, Russell and Lebron.
Joe Jackson has a new album that came out last month called “Fast Forward” Jackson is a former new waver who has matured through the years into a top flight songwriter and composer…it ain't rock & roll…but it's really good. I 've also been listening to Steve Forbert's new one “Compromised” which came out earlier this month. It's a pretty good effort and includes a version of “Send In The Clowns”. I heard him sing this live back in January and almost started laughing when he sang the first line thinking he was doing it for shits and giggles…but it's a serious cover and somehow works.
Songs Of The Day (from my I-pod)
Romeo & Juliet-Dire Straits (1980) another track from Mr. Knopfler and friends that grows on you the more you listen to it…from the LP “Making Movies”
