BuckAround: A Wisconsin Badgers Football Podcast

Pushing off the discussion of Purdue a week, Rich and Max welcome father-to-be Matt Brown of Land Grant Holy Land to talk about the cross divisional opponents not on the Badgers' schedule. Matt feels Indiana still really needs a defense, Michigan still really needs an offense, pumps the brakes on Michigan State as the new king of the conference, and thinks Ohio State is still a year away from a run at the National Championship. Rich and Max even find time to offer some new parent advice to Matt before wrapping the show on some early fall camp thoughts. SHOW LINKS: Tom Shatel Omaha World Herald Article

With just two B1G teams on the Badgers' schedule yet to be discussed, Mark Primiano of The Champaign Room joins the BuckAround to give us a preview of Illinois in Tim Beckman's 3rd year. Not to limit the conversation to the Illini, Mark's interview is bookended with a discussion of B1G Media day at the start of the show and closes with an exercise on who will be catching balls for the Badgers this year. SPOILER: that last part isn't pretty. Ugh. SHOW LINKS: Andy Ludwig BTN Interview Our Receivers "Worksheet":

Rich and Max are joined by Kyle Kafentzis - father of 2015 QB commit Austin Kafentzis and long time high school football coach - to discuss Gary Andersen as a coach, recruiter, and developer of talent. With a decade of coaching experience in Utah, Kyle has seen Andersen through the years as an assistant under both Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham as well as his time as a head coach at Utah State. Kyle tells us what separates Gary from his head coaching peers in Utah, what's wrong with the Elite 11 competition, and what Andersen saw in his son that made him the first quarterback offered in the 2015 class. A really unique perspective on the coach and football program.

Hitting the home stretch in the B1G Picture series, Rich and Max talk all things Rutgers with Dan Duggan of NJ.com. Dan lays out the strengths and weaknesses of what could be a sneaky good football team, the heat under Kyle Flood's coaching seat, and adjusting to life in the B1G. Rich and Max also take some time to read listener mail (please, send more!), discuss what Melvin Gordon needs to do to be "great", and Rich gets way too excited about a recent Twitter follower. SHOW LINKS:Jesse Temple's Feature on Melvin GordonJeremy Fowler - SEC Backs Beware

Tyler Mason of Fox Sports North joins the BuckAround to discuss the Badgers' longest and most intense rival: the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. Tyler shares his thoughts on the resurgence of the Gophers under Jerry Kill, what challenges the team faces to improve over an 8 win 2013 campaign, and where he thinks Kill can take the Gophers program long term. NOTE: This was recorded before Jeff Jones' academic ineligibility was announced June 30.

Making his podcasting debut, Logan Larson - better known as Space Coyote - joins the BuckAround to explain the fundamental concepts and techniques behind Wisconsin's long-successful rushing attack. Logan breaks down the difference between zone and power running, plays Wisconsin likes to run the most, where Corey Clement and Melvin Gordon need to improve most in 2014, and even gives a short preview of the Michigan season upcoming. He's a man of many talents who helped produce arguably one of the most informative episodes of the BuckAround ever!

With Max back, he and Rich talk through Rich's Stave Injury worries, review Wisconsin's monster recruiting weekend, give their thoughts on Gary Andersen as a recruiter in general, and name their 5 most important Badgers for 2014. Jesse Temple's 25 Most important Badgers for 2014

In the latest installment of our B1G Picture series, Philip Rossman-Reich of Lake the Posts joins the BuckAround to talk all things Northwestern. Philip does his best to forget the disappointment of 2013, talks about Venric Mark in an offense without Kain Colter, and if Northwestern has a shot to surprise people this year. With Max away this week, Rich tackles some Badger news including some interesting quotes surrounding Joel Stave's shoulder injury.

Evan Flood makes his long-awaited return to the BuckAround to give a summer update on Wisconsin recruiting. He talks about the Badgers' recruiting success in Texas, positive steps in Michigan, the staff's efforts to find hidden gems in far away places, and even answers listener questions. It's a jam packed show that even includes a breakdown of Nick Saban's love of watersports. For listeners, below is a link to the greatest video clip in the history of watersports:Nick Saban Took a Bunch of Alabama Players Tubing

Taking a break from guests, Rich and Max discuss James Franklin's perceived assault on the SEC heartland, Jordan Scarlett's interest in the Badgers, and take a wide angle view of the B1G West division. Most importantly, we even find time to dispense a little fashion advice.

Joined by Brandon Cavanaugh of HuskerCorner.com, Rich and Max take a look at the other preseason favorite for the West Division Crown. They talk Nebraska's offense post-Taylor Martinez, the Randy Gregory-lead defense, and the importance of proper syllable emphasis when talking about supporters of Bo Pelini (BO-lievers vs. bo-LEAVERS...just listen). It's definitely an interesting conversation about an interesting team.

Marc Morehouse, Iowa sportswriter for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, is the latest contributor to The B1G Picture series as he joins the BuckAround to talk all things Hawkeye football. He paints a picture of a team that looks to be on the rise in the reorganized B1G, and a legitimate contender for the West division crown. He talks depth on the offense, strength on the defensive line, and Kirk Ferentz's undying love of punting.

In our second installment of the B1G Picture Series, Ty Hildenbrandt of the Solid Verbal podcast joins us to talk about Penn State in the new James Franklin era. We talk Bill O'Brien's legacy, the annexation of Maryland and New Jersey, and Jay Paterno's love of video games. We even find time to talk about the Badgers and the depth of the B1G.

Putting off the continuation of the B1G Picture series for a week, Max and Rich talk Wisconsin recruiting from some different angles including budgets, athletic department revenues, the importance of proper pronunciation in Illinois case law, and why national sports writers know very little about college football. Who knew you could talk college football for an hour in May and not even touch on the NFL draft? Show Links:B1G Recruiting BudgetsAthletic Department Revenues

The debut of the B1G Picture series for 2014 features Baltimore based writer and co-host of the TCFA Podcast Mike Unger. Mike explains why Randy Edsall isn't the most popular man in Maryland, where Terrapin football falls on fan's priority lists, and what he thinks of the Essen Haus (spoiler: it's fun). Mike was a lot of fun and it shows in the episode. If you want to hear more about his trip to Madison, listen to Episode 76 of the TCFA podcast. A fun story.NOTE: There is one correction to the broadcast. Mike incorrectly stated that Ohio State would be playing Maryland at M&T Bank stadium this upcoming season. That is incorrect; Navy will be playing Ohio State there, not Maryland. The Maryland - Ohio State game will be played at Byrd field in College Park.

After battling technical difficulties for a week, Rich & Max come out firing on all cylinders. Max expresses his distaste for the selection of B1G night games by ESPN and the Big Ten Network before they grade out the spring (literally!) and Rich identifies where Badgers go to watch their football career die.

Fresh off the Spring Game, Rich and Max are joined by Fox Sports Wisconsin's Jesse Temple who discusses Saturday's game and Spring Practice as a whole. They talk the quarterback race, the complexion of the defense, and Max's ability to fit into 10 year old clothes.

Rich and Max are joined by Luke Mueller of Bucky's 5th Quarter who provides his take on what he's seen and heard so far in camp. Luke talks the offense, defense, and players who may surprise this year.

With the football team returning to practice after Spring Break, Rich and Max look at the latest news to come out of the McClain center, talk Badger headlines, and SEC fashion trends at Disney World

In this week's show Rich and Max update spring practice and are joined by Dave Bartoo of the College Football Matrix. This show is densely packed with content!

With Spring Practice only days away Rich & Max tackle some of the less discussed aspects of spring practice (what does Michael Trotter's playing time tell us about the future of Badger football) as well as some of the bigger topics as well but not before spending way too much time breaking down the relative merits of the month of March. Articles Referenced in Episode 12:Big changes coming to Wisconsin Badgers' defense, especially secondaryBig Ten quarterback race breakdown: Wisconsin BadgersUW Goes into Spring Practice with Decisions to make at Quarterback

After a two week hiatus, Rich and Max return to discuss the Thomas Brown hire, further delve into Gary Andersen's apparent lack of interest in the Cleveland Browns, and explore Max's future as a middle school cheerleading coach.

Despite it being a quiet time of the year in college football, Rich and Max find plenty to talk about. They give their final thoughts on the 2014 recruiting class, changes to the spring roster, the departure of Thomas Hammock to the Ravens, and Gary Andersen's flirtation with the Browns. Links of Note from this episode:Tom Oates' Article about Andersen and the BrownsOur Coaching Stability Index article from last yearThe David Jones (whose name I couldn't not remember during the podcast) article on Bill O'Brien & Penn State

Evan Flood joins the BuckAround to break down the Badgers 2014 recruiting class. It's our best show yet. Mostly because we let Evan do most the talking!

After breaking down the offense last week, Max and Rich delve into the far more uncertain defense, explore the options at kicker, and Rich struggles to pronounce 'Serge Trezy' while Max's references to 80's movie franchises make us both sound old.

Rich and Max boldly predict personnel assignments on the 2014 Wisconsin Badgers offense, remark on the ridiculous number of safeties on the roster, and comment on uncomfortably named winter storms. NOTE: Names in bold denote player who will see significant playing time in a shared role or in specific personnel packages

Rich and Max bid a fond farewell to the 2013 season with their first annual Golden Bucky Awards. Want a last look at 2013 before the doldrums of the college football off season set in? We have you covered!

Rich and Max review the Badgers' 34-24 loss to South Carolina, breaking down the missed opportunities and failed execution that lead to Wisconsin's 4th straight bowl loss while turning football cliches into some awful - but unintentional - innuendos.

Rich and Max discuss the latest Badger news, break down the Capital One Bowl, and maintain composure all the while watching the women's volleyball team beat Texas.NOTE: The podcast was recorded before the announcement of the injury to Damiere Byrd.

In our latest episode Rich and Max discuss Badger news as Bowl prep begins, look at at what they learned in the B1G Championship game, and project how the rest of the conference will do in bowl season.

Rich and Max Break down the surprising 31-24 loss to Penn State, discuss the Badgers' future offense - and Joel Stave's place in it, and finish up with a quick look at Badger recruiting and the All-B1G Team.

In our debut episode, we examine the Badgers 20-7 victory over Minnesota. Max stressed the surprisingly strong performance of the Gophers while Rich saw the game as the first feather in Gary Andersen's cap as Badger football coach. We also touched on the B1G title race, the larger BCS picture, and looked ahead to Penn State.