Football in the Groin

In one of my favorite Simpsons episodes of all time, Barney wins a film festival with his classic film "Football in the Groin." Needless to say, it was Homer's favorite.

Last night I did an interview with Aaron Rennie of CFB Weekly, a weekly podcast program featuring interviews with bloggers. It was fun, except for the fact that we were talking about a monumental Badger collapse in Ann Arbor rather than a win heading into the big Ohio State game. Aaron's term for it was a "Football in the Groin" game. Fitting.

Following Saturday's loss, there has been much questioning of whether this is the worst or most painful loss in recent Wisconsin football history. I think they are two different things. The worst losses come against teams you should clearly beat, or in which the performance was horrendous. Painful losses come in winnable games or in games of great importance.



Saturday's Michigan loss falls into both categories. Let's do a two-part discussion, starting with my list of the Most Painful Losses in Recent Wisconsin Football History (since Barry Alvarez's arrival).

1992, 27-25 at Northwestern. Jason Burns' fumble deprives us of a bowl bid.

1993, 28-21 at Minnesota. The only loss in an otherwise magical season.

1996, 34-30 against Northwestern. The Ron Dayne fumble game.

2000, 47-44 against Northwestern in double overtime. Thought we had made it through the Shoe Box suspensions with national and Big Ten title hopes intact, then this.

2001, 20-17 vs. Michigan. A punt hits Brett Bell, setting up the game-winning field goal.

2004, 30-7 at Iowa. Win and we're in the Rose Bowl, lose and we're in the Outback Bowl.

2005, 20-10 vs. Iowa. Barry's last home game is a loss. Our last home loss, and only home loss since 2003.

2008, 27-25 at Michigan. You saw it.

Discuss.