Gary Anderson Blows Off The Badgers | Alverez To Coach The Outback Bowl

Wisconsin football head coach Gary Andersen abruptly announced on Wednesday that he would be resigning his position to take a job at the same role at Oregon State. Less than a week after the Badgers trouncing at the hands of Ohio State in the Big-10 Conference championship, Andersen notified University athletic director Barry Alvarez of his intentions, which were accepted as an immediate resignation of his head coaching duties. Alvarez spoke to reporters at a press-conference on Wednesday night to give details of the meeting, which he says was as much of a surprise to himself as it was to fans and players.

When asked about the player's reactions to the news, Alvarez mentioned that the older team members, many of whom had been witness to Brett Bielema's departure of a similar fashion, took it in stride. Though the younger players, the athletic director and former head coach said, were much more upset. Star Badgers running-back Melvin Gordon, who announced his own decision to enter the draft in 2015 rather than stay at Wisconsin, weighed-in on the topic over the weekend, exclaiming his surprise at the news, stating that no one on the team saw any sign that Andersen was contemplating the move.

Reporter's questions at Wednesday's news conference slowly trended towards the team's future, including the naming a successor and if that new coach would be in place for the team's Outback Bowl game against Auburn on January 1. Alvarez gave no speculation as to who would be named to the helm, though he said he hoped to have an applicant chosen by New Year's Day. As for the meeting with Auburn, Alvarez revealed later that evening that he would reprise his role as head coach for the game, returning to the sidelines for the first time since coaching the Badgers in the 2012 Rose Bowl in lieu of Bielema. Before being named athletic director at Wisconsin, Alvarez coached the Badgers to three Rose Bowl victories as head coach between 1990 and 2005.

Who Will Replace Anderson? 

Despite Alvarez's reluctance to name even a list of potential replacements on Wednesday night, media outlets on Friday were already reporting that one-time Wisconsin offensive coordinator and current Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst is set to fill the vacancy. Neither Alvarez nor Chryst have publicly acknowledged the report, though local media says that a reliable source close to the university is providing them with the information. Chryst would return to Wisconsin after three seasons in Pittsburgh, where he compiled a 19-19 record. He was a coordinator at Wisconsin for six seasons prior to accepting the Pittsburgh offer in 2012.   

Andersen's own comments regarding his decision were kept short when he released a statement late last week thanking the Badgers for having him as a head coach for two seasons. Though he did not give details about the reasoning behind his move, Alvarez revealed that in his meeting with the coach, Andersen made it clear that it was for family reasons that he chose to return to the west coast. Andersen leaves the Badgers after coaching them to a 19-7 record over two full seasons.

Badgers Football Prospects For 2013 | T.J. Watt Comes To Wisconsin

Another season of recruiting behind us, and another run of the mill recruiting class for the Wisconsin Badgers. Still, they picked up some names of interest that will become household names a few years from now. Here are four names to keep an eye on down the road.

Alec James/DE/Brookfield, WI- James, one of the handful of players in this recruiting class that I have had the pleasure of covering their games, is an athletic freak from the defensive end position, and is one of those players who is truly a speed rusher. He, like almost every high school lineman, needs to bulk up as he currently stands just 6’4”, 220 pounds. If he does, he will be a great asset to the Badgers down the road. I’ve interviewed James and I can tell you he is a terrific young man, as I asked him a question about something he did in the first half of a game, and all he wanted to talk about was the great play of the offensive line.

Corey Clement/RB/Glassboro, NJ- Another Badgers running back from New Jersey. Seems like the Badgers can’t go two recruiting classes without grabbing one of those. The Badgers backfield is always one of the deepest in America, so it remains to be seen if, when, and how much playing time Clement will get.

Keelon Brookins/DB/Oakdale, MN- Brookins, a defensive back out of Minnesota, brings raw speed to the Badgers, which is something this program needs badly. In all likelihood Brookins will end up at corner back as he lacks the size to play safety.

T.J. Watt/TE/Pewaukee, WI- T.J. Watt is yet another one of these players I’ve had the pleasure of covering as a journalist in person. Watt, the younger brother of NFL star J.J. Watt, is a high school quarterback who is being converted to tight end. Having watched him play, the transition should be flawless. 

Bucky Bets On Phillips | Do They Have Any Other Choice?

The Badgers must have felt as if they had seen this play out before.  Time was running out, the Badgers were in the lead, but it all faded away in the final moments. This time, the Spartans won it in overtime.  That didn't make it any easier to take. Wisconsin had the lead, and had pinned Michigan State back around their own 25.  Michigan found a way to get down the field, and scored the tying touchdown.  The Badgers didn't manage the clock, and the game went to overtime.

Wisconsin scored a field goal with their first possession.  Would that hold up?  The Spartans answered with a 12 yard touchdown pass that capped of a solid drive.  Game over, Badgers lose. Wisconsin is now 3-2 in the Big Ten conference. Stave is out for the season.  Bucky fans are now wondering if the team can manage to pick up the pieces. They face an uphill battle to say the least.

Curt Phillips Takes Over As Quarterback

Curt Phillips now takes over as QB. Sure, he was a high school star, but weren't most Big Ten starters? On top of that, Phillips has gone under the knife three times, and played in very few games.  Still, there is hope. Phillips can move.  O'Brien failed to do the same in the pro-style offense that Wisconsin is known for. Phillips will get a chance to ease into things, as he's facing a team that gives up huge rushing yards.  With that in mind, the Badgers run game could certainly set up Phillips for some easy passes.  The Badgers are running out of options. It's got to work.