The following quotes are from UW sophomore quarterback John Stocco at Monday afternoon's press conference:
\Our focus all year has been 1 and 0, and this week is no different. We just have to improve a little bit and just stay 1 and 0.""
""From here on out the games just get bigger and bigger. We just have to keep getting better and better and just be 1 and 0.""
""It's the same focus we've have all year: 1 and 0. All that other outside stuff is outside stuff is for other people to think about and determine.""
""We're mature enough to know that if we don't come to play we're not going to win. We know that and it's the same focus all year: 1 and 0. We just have to keep getting better.""
Four completely different questions, four of the same responses.
I have heard this statement over and over, every day for the past eight weeks. One and 0 this, 1 and 0 that. Never before have I heard a team mentality so hard-yet so easy-to hate.
As a journalist, I hate hearing it so much. I want to hear something new, and so do the readers.
Give me something with some personality. Give me something controversial. Give me something completely out of nowhere.
But no, it's all about going 1 and 0. As if Head Coach Barry Alvarez brainwashed the team during two-a-days, the players have been programmed to spit out 1 and 0.
The team might as well invest in about a dozen of those Yak Bak toys, recorded, ""We just need to go 1 and 0,"" and just set them in front of a microphone whenever the media has questions.
You can see my predicament when all I get, over and over, is 1 and 0.
Yet, as a fan of football and a fan of winning, the answer cannot be any better than 1 and 0--as long as the team continues to achieve that goal every week.
It's hard to argue with the Badgers. They are 7-0-er ... 1-0 in each of the last seven weeks-so there has been no reason to change the message.
It's true that the team-and especially Stocco-has improved every week, and he's also right in saying that he's got some work to do yet. Unlike many quarterbacks of the past, he has not said or done anything wrong.
True, he says the same exact thing over and over, but from a fan's perspective, that's fine. You don't need him to say anything foolish or controversial.
One and 0 is obviously working. By continually giving the answer 1 and 0 to every question, they keep the media off their back. And by practicing what they preach, the Badgers are making 1 and 0 work on the field.
I figure while the team continues its to be 1 and 0, why don't I adopt this philosophy into my own life?
I can hear the interviews now:
Hey Eric, how do you think you'll do on this midterm?
""Well, my focus all year has been 1 and 0, and this test is no different. I just have to take things one question at a time and just stay 1 and 0.""
You've got a paper due at the end of the semester. How do you like your chances of getting a good grade on that?
""From here on out the papers just get bigger and bigger. I just have to keep getting better and better and just go 1 and 0.""
What about when people tell you your column is terrible?
""I just have to keep the same focus I've had all year: 1 and 0. All that other outside stuff is for other people to think about.""
What about your big date coming up Friday night?
""I'm mature enough to know that if I don't come to play I'm not going to win. I know that and it's been the same focus all year: 1 and 0.""
Eric is a junior planning to major in journalism. He can be reached for contact at ejschmoldt@wisc.edu.
