"Backing In". It's a sports phrase that always has negative conotations. When you "back in" to something...usually the playoffs or in this case a title game...it means you really didnt earn it...you don't belong....there is a black mark that will stain even a win. That cloud hangs over the Badgers as they head to Indianapolis this week to face Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship game. Now this thinking has nothing to do with the Wisconsin team...even if they have lost their last two games in overtime. Bret Bielema and his players had nothing to do with the poor choices made by the Ohio State players  that led to the Buckeyes suspension from post-season play...and they had nothing to do with the sex abuse scandal that rocked Penn State and led to their sanctions from the conference. They have played the games under the rules of their conference and find themselves as one of the teams playing for a Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. You know as well as I that a win on Saturday and a trip to Pasadena will not have an asterik for the players. They will enjoy and revel in the fact that they have played by the rules and earned the trip. They have'nt "backed' into anything.

Now, in order for that to happen...Curt Phillips has to play better. We are seeing the reasons why Phillips hasnt been the starter over the last few years. He dosent have a great arm and his accuracy has been questionable in the last few games. Plus, it doesnt help that the Badgers have very little at the wide reciever position. With the exception of Abrederris...there is little to strike fear into any defense. If Wisconsin has any position that needs to be addressed in recruiting...its wide reciever.

Well, The Packers laid an egg in the Big Apple on Sunday night. There is lots of work to be done on both dises of the ball...although the offense raises the most questions. Luckily for the Pack...they still have four division games left including the big matchuip with the Bears on Dec 16th. There is still plenty of time to wash this loss away.

The Bucks will try to get back in the win column tonight in Chicago. They lost to the Bulls on Saturday night in Milwaukee. You can hear the game on Foxsports1390 Am & 93.9 FM

The Badger basketball team beat Arkansas on saturday night. They face Virginia in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Wednesday night. Merrill native Paul Jespersen plays for the Cavaliers.

Songs Of The Day  (from my I-pod)

A Legal Matter-The Who (1965) a cut from the first Who album about teenage divorce...sung by Pete Townsend. Daltry was divorcing his first wife at the time

Legend-Poco (1978) the title track from what was supposed to be a new group featuring former Poco guitarists Paul Cotton & Rusty Young. ABC Released it as a Poco album and is was a big commercial hit...saw them on this tour in Madison and they cooked! The distinctive cover art was done by a then unknown graphic artist named Phil Hartman...before he hit the big time on Saturday Night Live.