Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels face some serious Badgering

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

The people of Wisconsin are neither bullies nor bad mannered. But they can get a little uppity about their football, which should be evident this week as they do their best to bring both the game and the party to Las Vegas.

Be forewarned: Badgers and fans alike will be in an aggressive mode.

They'll be out to prove their superiority on the football field when Wisconsin and UNLV play Saturday evening at Sam Boyd Stadium, and they'll be out to prove they can more than hold their own when it comes to rowdy behavior. Their determination in either endeavor can't be minimized or understated.

They'll be here to have a big time, as if we've forgotten how or could use a reminder. And toward that goal, they have gatherings and celebrations planned both downtown (Friday night) and before the game (at a pep-rally type festival near the stadium).

Add in a few spontaneous toasts and they'll be well-oiled by the time of the kickoff.

They'll also be feeling a little indestructible, having both commandeered Las Vegas' attention and having already won a game. Feeling as if they have the upper hand, they'll add a charge to what is certain to be an electric atmosphere at the Boyd.

Wisconsin fans will arrive here convinced their team has only one option: Pound UNLV into an ugly, unholy submission. If the betting line -- presently favoring the Badgers by 3 -- moves at all in response to this influx of rabidity, it's likely to go up after the red-clad zealots lay down their green.

And how can they resist making a bet? They get to come to Las Vegas and raise hell, watch their team rough up the locals and -- the clincher -- make a few bucks on the deal ...it's a Wisconsinite's dream, a Cheesehead's delight.

Of course there is the formality of actually playing the game. Yes, everything favors the Badgers -- they're a Big 10 team that is 1-0, while lowly UNLV has been stuck in practice -- but there have been greater upsets. Goliath lost, right? So did the Rams in last year's Super Bowl.

Wisconsin almost lost last week and would have if Fresno State had a better quarterback; hadn't dropped a pass late in the game that would have set up a winning field goal; and hadn't been offside and allowed the Badgers two cracks at a field goal that proved to be the 23-21 game winner with 2:05 left to play.

There was tension in that game and Wisconsin players and fans were forced to bear down. It got a little intense, even if the Badgers had a 20-minute advantage when it came to possessing the ball.

Now they want their reward: A few days in Las Vegas and a gimme on the schedule.

They're looking for UNLV to roll over and surrender. They're seeing the Rebels as meek, as in a few pops to the chops and they'll lose their incentive.

And that might be what happens. These Badgers are big boys, and when you see them on the field next to the Rebels you won't have to guess who has had their Wheaties and who has not.

"Boo," a heartless Wisconsin player or fan is apt to yell toward the Rebels as the teams are warming up, as if a good scare will be enough to leave the home team in a collective cower.

It's up to UNLV to handle the intimidation. It's up to the Rebels to stand up to the bluster.

It's up to them to take the strut out of the visitors' weekend.