PASADENA, Calif. – Welcome to the Badger Herald Live Blog! I’m football beat writer Kelly Erickson coming to you live from the Rose Bowl in sunny Pasadena as Wisconsin (8-5, 4-4 Big Ten) takes on No. 6 Stanford (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12). Alongside me are my fellow beat writers, Sports Editor Ian McCue and Sports Content Editor Nick Korger. We’ll be bringing you all the action as it unfolds on this New Year’s Day.
It was an eventful year the Wisconsin football team could never have anticipated. Despite five loses to its name, six new coaches, a midseason coaching change and the shocking departure of head coach Bret Bielema after winning the Big Ten Championship, an unranked UW still found its way to a third consecutive Rose Bowl.
While the Badgers hope the third time is the charm – this time under Rose Bowl Hall of Fame coach Barry Alvarez – they face a tough Stanford team that boasts the No. 3 rushing defense in the nation and a stout offense filled with standout players including unanimous All-American tight end Zach Ertz and senior running back Stepfan Taylor.
Keep it here all game long as we update you on all the latest from the 99th Grandaddy of Them All.
