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Game One Hundred
Sixty-Five:
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November 21, 2009 Ryan Field or Cryin’ Field? Wisconsin has been asking that question since 1999. The Badgers have been unable to win at Northwestern since their last Big Ten Championship year and the 2009 rendition would keep cheesehead tears flowing. November. Big Ten. Cold. Classic. Both teams came in sporting excellent records and even though the Badgers were a favorite, the Wildcats once again played spoiler and were victorious in exciting fashion securing a 33-31 final tally. This season, it cost Wisconsin a New Year’s Day bowl bid. Northwestern got the nod instead, which is a feat that should not be taken lightly. It would be Northwestern’s first New Year’s Day appearance since 1997 and only their fourth in school history. This is the tenth time I have witnessed these two teams knock helmets and the game always has a storyline and almost always requires the fourth quarter to determine the outcome. It’s one of those trophyless and unappreciated rivalries that has been played since the late 19th century. True, there were several decades where the winner usually earned the prize of avoiding last place in the conference, but, the last two decades have seen an astounding resurgence in the validity of the matchup. The game draws a good Evanston crowd. Most stadiums do not experience difficulty selling out for an elite contest, but it takes an outstanding record and a quality opponent to get the rumps of Wildcat fans out of their warm homes and into the frozen seats of Ryan Field. Even two-thirds full is commendable for Northwestern. Today, it would be enough support to assist the ‘Cats in upsetting the Badgers and making some noise in the conference. It may not be long before Coach Fitzgerald has his team in a place where the other third of the stadium closes in with purple. < Previous Game Next Game >
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