No, We’ll Teach YOU “How to Bucky”

I’ll admit it: I’m a little jealous when I see the promos on ESPN about GameDay being in Madison, WI for the Nebraska-Wisconsin match-up. After all, it’s an epic game:

1. Nebraska comes to the historic Camp Randle Stadium (4th oldest in college football) to play in their first conference game as a member of the Big Ten.
2. The match-up pits two top-10 teams against one another. With Wisconsin ranked #7 and Nebraska ranked #8 in both polls, this game has National Championship implications.
3. The game is being played in prime-time on National TV with two of the most devoted fan bases in college football. And we know no one is going to be watching the baseball play-offs. (Read: ratings through the roof!)

I’m reading all the Facebook posts and Tweets from my Madison friends and it’s getting under my skin. And I’ve accepted the fact that I’m jealous. I wish I could be in their shoes this weekend. I want to cheer for a good team, and have a rabid fan base along with me. I want to be a part of a meaningful primetime college football game, under lights on a national stage. I mean, I would just love to be ranked again.

I worked as a TV reporter in Madison for three years, my grandparents were married there, my father spent the majority of his formative years there. I can honestly say: it is one of the coolest college sports atmospheres I’ve seen. One hell of a college town. EVERYONE loves the Badgers in Madison– and the BADGERS are LIFE. As a resident of Madison for those three years, I will confess: a may have taken a sip of the red kool-aid. How couldn’t you?

The basketball coach (Bo Ryan) is one of the best in the game – not to mention one of the best interviews in the college basketball. Camp Randall is a great place to watch a football game, regardless of who you are cheering for. They have legit student sections for all the games, and they take their cheering seriously – something you don’t see around here.

The bar scene is great (if you are 25) and State Street is a state treasure. They even put together this cool little “Teach me How to Bucky” video after the “Teach Me How To Dougie” song got big. (It was kind of clever, coming from Wisconsin):

But the years have passed since I spent those three years in Madison. The kool-aid has worn off. And I’m starting to see clearly again.

The light just went on for me. It’s a little known fact you won’t hear Gopher fans throwing around. And, if we’re playing by the same rules Wisconsin football fans seem to follow, this should end all arguments. You know, those same Wisconsin fans will go on and on about how they have Superbowl championships, and the Vikings have none? I’ve got some news for you Miller Lite-drinking, sh*t-talking, need-a-mounted-patrol-to-tell-me-to-stop-partying Wisconsin fans: We could play that game too. After all, 6 is greater than 0. (A quick math lesson for my Badger friends)

6: The number of National Titles owned by your Golden Gophers.
0: The number of National Titles for the Wisconsin Badgers.

None. Zip. Nada for Bucky.

But, you won’t hear that from Gopher fans. And while that’s most likely because most Gopher fans weren’t alive when those 6 National Championships were won, we’ve come to accept that Wisconsin football is better than Minnesota football right now.

And that’s fine. We’ll handle it with class. Just like we’ll handle it with class when Jerry Kill turns things around here. Just like we’ll show class while Bret Bielema is banned from coaching for breaking NCAA rules with booster money. Okay – maybe not that last part.

So, yes, I’m jealous that Badger fans are getting to take part in all this success right now. I’m jealous that, while the Gophers constantly rebuilding our program in my lifetime, the Badgers have gone from really bad to really good.

But to all my Gopher friends: keep your head high. While we won’t use the same ace-in-the-hole argument as our Wisconsin friends, know that while you see the Badgers on the national stage Saturday night:
6-0.

While they’re still learning “how to bucky”…we’ve won national championships.

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