Champs Sports Bowl

Robert Guliano on why Wisconsin will win: Because they are living it up. The Badgers perennially mosey through a soft schedule and reach their program’s above average but below spectacular expectations. Everyone in Madison seems content with the Badgers tradition of losing to the Big Ten’s best and perusing through the rest of their schedule with the option of taking an additional loss on the way. This year the Badgers vacationed to Hawaii to play a game that for all intents and purposes shouldn’t have been played. Since they closed the season (it was the last game of the college football year—which wasn’t quite a grand finale) in the refreshing warmth of Hawaii, they will be primed and ready to play in Orlando on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Players to Watch:
3. Potential NFL Backup Quarterback- They have had “Just Win” Jim Sorgi, Brooks Bollinger, and John Stocco. None of them were even close to talented enough to start in the NFL and all of them have been superb knee-takers. This year Scott Tolzien fills the role. He manages a mean balanced offense.
2. Bret Bielema- He was born in a place called Prophetstown, Illinois. This guy is like a coherent Moses, with muscles, and a calf tattoo.
1. John Clay- Yet another tremendous back for Wisconsin. Almost 1400 yards and 16 tds.

Brandon Hickey on why Miami will win: The U seems to finally be back as a football program. Coach Randy Shannon seems to have turned the tides in his second go-around. The Canes are 9-3 and knocked off ACC Champ Georgia Tech in week 2 of the season. Their finish in the ACC gets them to the Champs Sports Bowl against a gritty Wisconsin team. Miami still hasn’t got to the pedestal that former coach Larry Coker got them to, but they’re making do with what they have. I’ve always liked Champs, but they’re not my favorite place to go for fresh new kicks. My shoe store rankings go like this: 1) Finish Line 2) Champs 3) The Shoe Department and 4) Foot Locker. I have never bought anything at Foot Locker and probably never will. Plus they’re employees are dressed like referees.

3. RBs Graig Cooper, Damien Berry, Javarris James-The Canes feature a triumvirate of running backs that keep pounding you during the game. Javarris James is Edgerrin’s little bro, and is probably the better brother right now.
2. Terry Porter-Not the Portland Trail Blazers legend, the referee who called pass interference against Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl that gave Ohio State the national championship. He will not be refereeing this game, which is good for the Canes. Terry Porter from the Blazers is from Wisconsin though. Hmmm.
1. QB Jacory Harris-Harris is the sparkplug to the Miami offense. He could be a top five pick in next year’s draft and does not remind anybody of Ken Dorsey.

The compromise: Wisconsin is a Big Ten team. Big Ten teams don't win bowl games. Miami 27-17