Game Time - Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes took a 6-0 record into one of the Big Ten's toughest environments. The battle between border states is also for the Heartland Trophy. It is a bull that came to be before the 2004 game in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes won the game, kept the trophy and became one of two teams in the country to be 7-0 in 2009.

The team emerges from the locker room for pre game warm ups. The seats at the far end of Camp Randall are reserved for the UW students. "Bucky's Creatures" are very fashionably late to Badger football games. On this day the seats weren't completely full until early 2nd quarter.

Bret Bielema, a former Hawkeye football player and coach now leads the Badger football program. Bret and I have been friends since our freshman year at Iowa. He also was one of my groomsmen at my wedding. (Photo Courtesy Erick Tjarks).

History was set on this day at Wisconsin. For the first time the opponents were allowed to share the home video booth. David "Big D" Blaker allowed us to shoot from his booth, just feet from our designated location.

The University of Wisconsin Band, among the nation's best, plays their popular fight song, "On Wisconsin."

At the end of the 3rd quarter at Camp Randall the Wisconsin fans "Jump Around." We, as video guys decided to join in.

Leading Up to Game Time - Wisconsin

October may be the best time to travel to Madison. The foliage is at its peak, and the crisp Autumn temperatures allow for the full aroma of the brat grills set-up outside Camp Randall Stadium. It is a very easy trip from Iowa City to Madison. Except for a 20 mile trek on Highway 1, it is literally US Highway 151 all the way to the Stadium.

While the sign Welcomes you to Wisconsin, many Badger fans feel otherwise. A popular afternoon radio show host on "The Big 1070" informed the listeners that he "hate(s) Iowa."

The trip is only three hours long, but Iowa Video Student Erick Tjarks finds it hard to stay awake.

 On Capital Square is a popular Madison night spot. The Old Fashioned was full of Badger Homecoming enthusiasts.

 It was the UW Video Staff along side the Iowa Video Staff at the Old Fashioned. Pictured are David Blaker, Rob Porteus and Ryan O'Donnell from the Badgers. I am joined by a Iowa Video Staff Alum, Heather Van Peursem (right) and her friend Brit.

 The State Capitol of Wisconsin.

 The sun rises early on Camp Randall Stadium. Arriving to the stadium two hours prior to the team's arrival, support staff get the stadium prepared for the game. It was a quick turnaround for the Iowa team managers. The night before they were crushed by the Wisconsin managers, 37-6 in the annual battle for the toolbox.

Among the many lakes within the Madison city limits, Lake Mendota is nearest to Camp Randall Stadium, located just blocks from the home of the Badgers.

Of course tailgating is popular around the stadium. Here cars are squeezed into the adjoining neighborhood. Grills are as popular as the cool beverages being consumed.