Who has UW Badger alumni friends?

Submitted by Flying Dutchman on

I have about a half dozen good friends that are UW Badger alumni and passionate fans.   They have rightly enjoyed the recent success UW has had in both football and basketball.  Wisconsin grads (that I know) tend to be really good and bright people with successful careers and lives, much like Michigan grads.

This week, they are like the anti-Sparty.   After walking in to East Lansing and pounding MSU, these Badger fans somehow think they are going to walk in to a curbstomping in Ann Arbor delivered by JMFH and the Wolverines.  They don't think it will be close, and in Michigan's favor.

I realize Michigan is favored by around 10/11, but I just don't get it from my Badger buddies.  I too believe Michigan will win, but probably in more of a grind and a narrow outcome.   These guys aren't bluffing.   Why do they expect to be blown out?    Do your Badger friends/acquaintences/associates behave the same?

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Cali Wolverine

September 30th, 2016 at 11:15 AM ^

They all think they are going to beat Michigan on Saturday. They think Michigan is one of their greatest rivals...even though we don't play every year. They think Wisconsin academics are just as good as Michigan (but they didn't get into Michigan so of course they say that). I feel OP's Wisconsin friends are the exception not the rule. All of my Wisco friends are super annoying when it comes to sports.

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901 P

September 30th, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^

I haven't really heard any Badgers' opinions about tomorrow's game, so I can't say if your friends' views are representative or not.

Both of my brothers are Wisconsin grads, and I have several other friends who went there. (I grew up in Minnesota.) My impression of Badger fans is quite positive, but it is almost certainly colored by the fact that some of them are family members. Also, I knew them before they went to Wisconsin, so my positive opinions were not likely to change because of the school they attended (and probably the opposite is true: my opinion of Wisconsin rose because of my opinion of the people who went there.)

I also generally have a high opinion of the university and of Madison itself. It IS a good school (no Michigan though!) and Madison is a great town.

I imagine it is also because we AREN'T super big rivals, so I don't usually resent Wisconsin's success. 

Joined: 01/12/2015

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Cali Wolverine

September 30th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^

BIG school...except Michigan is just a better version. It's a one sided rivalry because Michigan people don't consider Wisconsin a rival, but Wisconsin fans enjoy beating Michigan about as much as anybody. Two quotes that sum up the relationship of the schools for many out of staters. Michigan Alum - "I would have gone to Wisconsin if I didn't get into Michigan." Wisconsin Alum - "I would have gone to Michigan if I had gotten in." Don't get me wrong, I enjoy going to Madison probably more than any other BIG school...but there is a little bit of bitterness on the Wisconsin side.

Joined: 01/13/2013

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mGrowOld

September 30th, 2016 at 10:33 AM ^

I have no UW friends or family BUT I can absolutey say they arent just the "anti-sparty" when it comes to how they view the game.  I've  been to three games in Madison (1980, 1997 & 2005) and every time I've gone I've had a blast.  Great stadium, great fans and the second coolest campus in the B1G behind ours.

Nothing at all like going to E Lansing, Columbus or even our most hated rivals of Illinois or Rutgers.  Madison is an abolute great place to go.

And they are one of the B1G teams I always root for if not playing us.  

Joined: 10/04/2010

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Kewaga.

September 30th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^

I have time to mull over the question of what school would have been my second choice if I didn't get into Michigan.  That is, now that I have had some life experience behind me and everytime that question pops into my head the answer is Wisconsin.  

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PopeLando

September 30th, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

It's their defense mechanism. Badgers have great defense mechanisms. Basically, if they set their expectations low, then they can't be disappointed. It's logical, even if it is depressing. Contrast that with Sparty fans, who always expect to a) win in a blowout, b) be disrespected.

Joined: 08/01/2015

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Code-7

September 30th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^

I"ve lived in the Milwaukee are for just over a year now. When it comes to the Badgers, the fans are almost Canadian-esque with politeness.

As for the Packers fans....awful. I was at a friends house last weekend for the Lions-Packers game and his friends were unbearable. They were cool after the game but during the game they were 100% Sparty like.

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Bi11McGi11

September 30th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^

I don't have any Wisconsin frands, but some Sparty pals are doing the trash-talking for them. I've been told that Michigan is going to be dominated by the Badgers and they keep pointing to last week's game as the evidence. I don't think Sparty fans realize how mediocre their QB is.

Joined: 11/03/2011

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PopeLando

September 30th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^

I think Sparty fans enjoy Michigan losses more than MSU wins. It's crazy. And then they hang on to it, like Michigan losing to App State 9 years ago means that Michigan is always bad, MSU is always good, and the next Michigan embarrassment is just around the corner. Wisconsin fans are much cooler. Definitely more fun to be around. They're proud when the team's good, humble when it's bad, and always up for another beer.

Joined: 08/01/2015

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reshp1

September 30th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^

My sister in law is an alum. Doesn't know crap about football, thought Beilema was still their coach until I told her they've changed coaches twice since then, has no idea how good or bad her team is at any given time, but still will argue with me about what game to put on the TV when Michigan and Wisconsin play at the same time. I do feel bad for her though that her parents became huge Michigan fans since my wife went there (the familiy didn't have any college affiliation before that). They try to feign interest in the Badgers for the sake of fairness, but it's obvious who they root for.

Joined: 10/31/2011

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Phinaeus Gage

September 30th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^

Badger friend refuses to watch the game with us. He feels the loss coming and doesn't want to have a tantrum and throw things in front of our other friends and family. He will watch it alone in his basement. Which I totally respect. I root for Bucky every other week of the year for him.

Joined: 10/02/2008

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Hab

September 30th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

My younger brother is a UW alum.  In my mind, his approach is perfect.  He recognizes what Michigan has displayed and what their potential is.  At the same time, he is excited about UW's chances tomorrow.  In his words, "I don't think Michigan realizes what is rolling into town."  From my perspective, that's a fair statement.  I haven't talked to him since Biegel went down with an injury though. 

We'll be at the game, so forgive me if anyone sees me being overly polite to a UW fan.

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BigWeb

September 30th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

living in Northern IIlinois minutes from the state border, my Badger friends, clients and alum?(sp) think they will pull it out, one even gave me the 10 point spread, so, I got that going for me.

Go Blue

Joined: 12/18/2013

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