UCLA preview, memorable Wisconsin games vs the Bruins, Week 7 picks

▶ Full episode

Segment buttons seek the original audio and stop at the segment end. Original episode

⏸ 00:00–01:00 · Break / sponsor read: Pre-roll: road construction ad (skipped)

01:00–02:56

Stop the Presses (Gently): Show open: headed to LA, Badger Connect plugs

Zach and Jesse talk about finally getting a relevant, meaningful college football game and Jesse's trip to LA, then plug Badger Connect, including a men's hockey transfer interview and a Friday feature story. Better than waiting in a fish-fry line.

▶ Play 01:00–02:56

⏸ 02:56–03:44 · Break / sponsor read: Brennan's Market sponsor read (skipped)

03:44–10:00

Somebody Get the Bratwurst: What success looks like at No. 12 UCLA

Jesse says Wisconsin can't turn the ball over against a UCLA team that has taken it away from everyone, has to stop a UCLA rushing offense he says ranks sixth nationally, and notes the Badgers' defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in its last 20 drives. Grab a fork, this one's a hot dish.

▶ Play 03:44–10:00

10:00–15:00

Fresh Off the Air: Is UCLA for real? The bye-week factor

They debate how much UCLA's wins say about the Bruins, compare the buzz to Curt Cignetti's first year at Indiana, and discuss whether a bye week helps. Pull up a lawn chair for this one.

▶ Play 10:00–15:00

15:00–20:53

File This Under Wild: Rotation, snap counts and injuries

How many edge rushers and defensive backs Wisconsin rotates, a young player's snaps climbing against Michigan State, injury statuses heading into the week, and Emerson Mandel at right tackle. Yes, they really went there.

▶ Play 15:00–20:53

⏸ 20:53–22:29 · Break / sponsor read: Break: sponsor ads (skipped)

22:29–29:00

Cue the Polka: What a win would mean: the CFP conversation

Jesse says a smiling Luke Fickell shows this year feels different, and that a 5-1 start with a win over a playoff-field UCLA would put Wisconsin in the College Football Playoff conversation in a way it hasn't been in this era. Turn it up, the neighbors can cope.

▶ Play 22:29–29:00

29:00–34:30

Hold Onto Your Cheesehead: Memorable games vs. UCLA: the 1994 Rose Bowl

Looking back at the series, Jesse picks the January 1994 Rose Bowl, recalling UCLA's turnovers and J.J. Stokes breaking Pat Richter's Rose Bowl catch record, plus his 2015 oral history of Barry Alvarez's early years. Better than waiting in a fish-fry line.

▶ Play 29:00–34:30

34:30–39:36

Stop the Presses (Gently): The Rose Bowl rematch and the 2000 Sun Bowl

Why Wisconsin got to Pasadena on a tiebreaker, the 38-31 Rose Bowl rematch five years later, the 2000 Sun Bowl with Michael Bennett and the Jamar Fletcher vs. Freddie Mitchell battle. Wisconsin has won the last three meetings. Bring a blanket, it's a long one.

▶ Play 34:30–39:36

⏸ 39:36–40:36 · Break / sponsor read: Break: sponsor ads (skipped)

40:36–50:05

Somebody Get the Bratwurst: Week 7 picks

Jesse is three games behind in the season-long picks. They go around the national slate, including BYU to cover as a 10.5-point underdog at Notre Dame, and both pick Wisconsin to win at UCLA by three (Jesse says 20-17). Pull up a lawn chair for this one.

▶ Play 40:36–50:05

⏸ 50:05–51:08 · Break / sponsor read: Closing sponsor ads (skipped)