Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - The Daily Cardinal

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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Madison, UW brace for voter ID mandate By Andrew Hahn THE DAILY CARDINAL

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Badger Catholic panelists discuss their faith-based beliefs.

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AHA representatives debate faith’s relation to reason.

University religious groups debate faith By Dana Kampa THE DAILY CARDINAL

The University of WisconsinMadison Badger Catholics debated fundamental religious issues with the Atheists, Humanists, & Agnostics Tuesday evening at Memorial Union. The four topics included universal morality, abortion law, the use of “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and whether reason and faith are compatible. Kevin Mauer, a Badger Catholic pastoral intern, defended universal morality and said people’s understanding is limited in scope but progressing in morality over time. Chris Calvey, AHA co-volunteer chair, said he does not believe universal standards exist, but added humans desire a standard and that religion provides “comfort.” “Every religion disagrees in fundamental ways … how are we to know which one is the correct source to appeal to for a sense of

universal morality?” Calvey asked. Progressing to the question of abortion laws, Margaret Babe, AHA outreach chair, addressed illegal “back alley” abortions and mother mortality, saying statistically one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime. “Abortions will happen no matter what,” Babe said. “The only differing factor is whether or not women die.” Badger Catholic panelist Rachel Schumacher, the Students for Life vice president, said she believes abortion perpetuates sexism and supports laws about a woman’s right to know and waiting periods. “Telling women [childbearing] is a weakness is telling her she needs to be made like a man,” Schumacher said. Discussing the Pledge of Allegiance, Caroline Klinker, Badger Catholic peer mentor

The University of WisconsinMadison announced it will begin printing student IDs acceptable for voting for students who request them on Monday, according to an email from university spokesperson Kari Knutson. Fifty-two days before the Nov. 4 statewide election, Wisconsin voters learned they would be required to show a valid photo ID at the polls to receive a ballot after a federal appeals court acted Friday to end the injunction a lower court placed on Wisconsin’s 2011 voter ID law in April. The law requires several

characteristics for IDs that UW-Madison Wiscards lack, leaving many out-of-state students without sufficient identification. Members of the Associated Students of Madison met with UW-Madison officials to address the issue, prompting Tuesday’s announcement. After meeting with members of the ASM, UW-Madison officials announced Tuesday they would begin printing new IDs acceptable for voting to alleviate the problem, Knutson confirmed. The new IDs must include the student’s signature and expire within two years to be valid for voting under the law.

More information about obtaining voter IDs will be available early next week, Knutson said. Friday’s decision raised logistical questions for Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, the state agency responsible for overseeing elections. Director Kevin Kennedy said his agency will work tirelessly to implement the law before the November elections. Kennedy added he did not anticipate decreased voter turnout across the state as a result of the law but said the provision would require more

voter id page 3

Common Council, community opinions vary on Williamson Street project By Irene Burski THE DAILY CARDINAL

Madison’s Common Council upheld the Plan Commission’s decision to approve the Williamson Street development project Tuesday, after lengthy and at times confused discussion from community members and alders alike. Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, had appealed the Plan Commission decision to approve the development project in July, bringing it before the Council for possible overturning, citing that the existing proposals did not meet community standards. The development project is located on the 700 block of Williamson Street, and while most residents fear the planned six-story building will “com-

promise the invaluable historic districts in the Marquette neighborhood,” according to community member Peter Wolf, there are some who favor the expansion, having been in on the development of the earlier plans. Following public testimony, Alders went back and forth on whether or not to overturn or uphold the Plan Commission’s decision, or even modify the density building that night, with a motion to downsize the building introduced and then failing to pass. “I’ve not sat here for this long and listened to the alders be so confused,” Ald. Denise DeMarb, District 16, said. Similar to community members opposed to the project, alders worried that the develop-

ment project did not meet the desires of the neighborhood. “Williamson Street has evolved into an extremely popular place because of its funky atmosphere, variety of businesses and some charming houses,” Ald. Anita Weier, District 18, said. “This development would threaten Williamson Street’s success. We must stop ignoring neighborhoods to gain more cookie-cutter high rise apartments.” Other alders felt that the opposition to the project was unfounded and unnecessarily controlling of project details. “There’s never a perfect project, but this project does meet the standards. I would urge you very strongly to reject

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Car hits bicyclist on University Avenue A bicyclist on University Avenue at North Randall Avenue suffered a concussion after a car hit him Monday, according to a Madison Police Department incident report. The bicyclist, 22, was in a bike lane and had a green light to proceed through the intersection, according to the report. Meanwhile, a Madison man, 38, was turning his Jeep from

University Avenue onto North Randall Avenue. The driver did not activate the turn signal in the process, Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said in the release. In the course of the collision the bicyclist went over the hood of the Jeep, shattering the windshield, the report says. The driver was cited for failure to yield at an intersection, causing injury.

KAITLYN VETO/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and the city’s Common Council debated the development project. The planned building is set for the 700 block of Williamson Street.

Lox in your bagel spot with Get Brunch’d + Life and Style, page 4

Top 10 Heisman players to watch Week 4 + SPORTS, page 8

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”


almanac 2

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hi 66º / lo 46º

Thursday: cloudy

hi 64º / lo 48º

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 124, Issue 8

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000 • fax (608) 262-8100

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tODAY: cloudy

Editor-in-Chief Jack Casey

Managing Editor Jonah Beleckis

News Team News Manager Sam Cusick Campus Editor Adelina Yankova College Editor Emily Gerber City Editors Irene Burski, Patricia Johnson State Editor Eoin Cottrell Associate News Editor Dana Kampa Features Editor Melissa Howison Opinion Editors Ryan Bullen • Cullen Voss Editorial Board Chair Haley Henschel Arts Editors Cheyenne Langkamp • Sean Reichard Sports Editors Jack Baer • Jim Dayton Almanac Editors Andy Holsteen • Kane Kaiman Photo Editors Emily Buck • Thomas Yonash Graphics Editor Cameron Graff Multimedia Editor Alana Katz Science Editor Danielle Smith Life & Style Editor Claire Satterfield Special Pages Editor Haley Henschel Copy Chiefs Kara Evenson • Justine Jones Jessie Rodgers • Paige Villiard Copy Editors Patricia Ruhnke • Danielle Dooge Social Media Manager Rachel Wanat

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The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor-in-chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.

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The birthday boy bar review By Kane Kaiman The Daily Cardinal

On Sept. 13, 2014, I turned 21. As a well-respected journalist, a gatekeepr of information, it’s my civic duty to relate to the drinking public what I learned on that fateful day about the bar scene on campus. At 3 p.m. there came a knock on my door. It was my nameless, faceless wing-man. It was time to baby-powder up; according to Google Maps, it was a long walk to a little place called Nitty Gritty. With a name like that, the place was sure to be filled with tough customers looking to scrap and hundreds of grizzled booze-hags to fall in love with. It was going to be a long night, so I also filled a Ziploc bag with emergency baby-powder and stuffed it in my back pocket, immediately accepting the risks associated with transporting fine white substances through UWPD infested streets. At this point, chafing was obviously a non-factor, but if worst came to worst I could sell the baggy to some freshmen in a back alley or even use the powder itself to blind any would-be bar fighters at the Gritty. Bar fights! I’d seen my fair share on television, and I was excited to finally witness someone being dragged across the bar face-first, shattering beer mugs along the way. No doubt Nitty Gritty was the best place in all of Madison for that sort of violent spectacle. My nameless, faceless wingman and I stepped into Nitty Gritty on high alert. With my right hand, I flashed the bouncer my birthdayboy I.D., with my left, I grasped

On this day in history... 642—Arab forces destroy the library at Alexandria. They burn the books, but keep the best VHS tapes.

the Ziploc bag in my back pocket, ready to spray its contents into the eyes of some poor son of a bitch eager to prey on fresh meat. The place was filled with balloons. But no tough guys. (For the record, there were plenty of boozehags). My fingers loosened around the Ziploc bag. What had we walked into? Gritty? No, this was G-rated. This was the tilt-a-whirl at Six Flags Great America. My nameless, faceless wing-man and I quickly finished seven free Birthday Beers apiece, made passionate love to a half-dozen booze-hags and popped balloons on our way to the back door. Nitty Gritty: Shit hole. Next stop was Whiskey Jack’s. Before we could step inside, a group of burly men threw a drunken cowboy through the swinging saloon doors and into the street. For a rambunctious country boy like me, this was sure to be a good fit. I padded down my flowing mullet, threw in an impressive wad of chewing tobacco and made my entrance. What a disappointment. This was no honky-tonk. There was no spittoon. No bottles marked “XXX.” No burlesque dancers and no lively piano playing. And, aside from a few cowpokes wetting their whistles at the bar, it was a total ghost town. Whiskey Jack’s: Shit hole. We left the country behind and moseyed on into the big city— The City Bar, that is. Big mistake. My nameless, faceless wing-man and I nervously settled into a booth near the bar. It occurred to us that The City Bar, a dimly-lit, under-

ground burrow, was the perfect setting for a vampire feeding frenzy. It wasn’t long before two impossibly pale women at the bar ordered us “red wine.” A test, no doubt—The cups were filled with human blood. What could we do? Courtesy dictated that we drink them down to the last drop. And we couldn’t let them know we still had a pulse. Wiping the blood from our mouths, we tipped our caps to the undead women across the bar and casually made our way up the stairs to the surface world. The City Bar: Vampire-infested shit hole. Likes moths to a flame, we were drawn to the next bar, a well-lit establishment called Chipotle. Finally a good bar. The staff was friendly, the women were beautiful and the theme was enchanting. We ordered a few cervezas and enjoyed ourselves in the quaint little cantina. Chipotle: Good bar. It was outside Chipotle that I found a severed finger on the ground. There it was, resting in a fresh pool of blood on the sidewalk. I picked up the leaky digit. Turning it over in my hand, I concluded that it was an index finger (my nameless, faceless wing-man will tell you that the finger gets bigger every time I tell this story!). How had this detached apendage gone unnoticed? It was obviously a UWPD sting operation, and I’d already implicated myself. Thinkly quickly, I wrapped my grisly discovery in a Chipotle napkin and deposited it in the sewage reservoir. I knew that UWPD wouldn’t patrol the sewer system until Monday morning. The alli-

gators would make short work of the finger by then. Missing digits: UWPD trickery. My nameless, faceless wingman and I fell into bad spirits thinking about the unlucky homeless man the UWPD had undoubtedly utilized for their gory scheme. For the rest of the night, we kept our eyes peeled for a four-fingered man. We needed cheering up! And nothing cheers people up like magic. So we headed off to Wando’s. I was thrilled at the prospect of a performing magician. The Amazing Wando! I wondered what sort of tricks he’d pull. Floating beer bottles? Maybe he’d saw the bartender in half while we made a few drinks disappear. There was no magic at Wando’s. Only loud music, an endless staircase and a lot of sweat. Wando’s: Shit hole. The night was winding down, and it was time to make peace with UWPD and secure safe passage home. We struck up a conversation with a horse-cop. Things were cordial until he told us he’d castrated his clydesdale. No doubt, this was the same guy who’d lopped off that hobo’s finger. I felt bad for the gelding, and in that moment wished Grizzly made chewing tobacco for horses. Luckily, the conversation came to an end when the horse-cop spotted a bag of fine white powder laying in the street near Wando’s. He galloped away, and we slipped into the sewer system, completely disillusioned with the bar scene on campus.

VETERANS, EDUCATORS, & TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

V.E.T.S KICKOFF MEETING

1683—Antonie van Leeuwenhoek reports the existence of bacteria. He finds a whole bunch of it in his gym shoes.

Editorial Board Jack Casey • Jonah Beleckis Haley Henschel • Cullen Voss Ryan Bullen • Michael Penn Kayla Schmidt l

Board of Directors Herman Baumann, President Jack Casey • Jonah Beleckis Jennifer Sereno • Stephen DiTullio Brett Bachman • Janet Larson Don Miner • Phil Brinkman Jason Stein • Nancy Sandy Jordan Laeyendecker • Tim Smoot Tina Zavoral

© 2014, The Daily Cardinal Media Corporation ISSN 0011-5398

For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com.

1789­—William Herschel discovers Mimas, a moon of Saturn, in his wooden, steam-powered spaceship. 1872—Phillip W. Pratt invents his sprinkler system for extinguishing fires. But the damn neighbor kids keep playing around in it. 1916—The Red Baron wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France. He treats his comrades to a frozen pizza party.

SEPTEMBER 19TH 5:30 PM STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER ROOM 3136 ANY AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR INFORMATION AND

FREE PIZZA


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Wednesday, September 17, 2014 3 l

Ray Cross talks higher education, tuition on C-SPAN By Emily Gerber THE DAILY CARDINAL

Aboard a tour bus in Madison early Tuesday morning, University of Wisconsin System President Raymond Cross took part in something a bit unusual for the mobile setting: He discussed higher education. C-SPAN interviewed the system leader as part of the Washington Journal’s monthlong Big Ten-tour installment of higher education policies. The news vehicle is traveling across the country to interview officials at all 14 universities about issues related to public policy and to allow local community members to pick the leaders’ brains. Cross’s Sept. 16 conversation focused heavily on college affordability, an issue the president has articulated as one of his priorities in the past. He highlighted the current two-year tuition freeze and the system’s efforts to create more opportunities for students to receive financial aid at the 13 colleges and 13 universities across the state.

“We’re in the second year of the tuition freeze and [the Board of Regents] is proposing that in the next two years we also freeze tuition. We think we can do it for two more years,” Cross said. “That does put some strain on us, there’s no question about that. But we believe that affordability is really, really an important issue.” While the issue of student debt is prevalent, Cross said a college degree is still worth the money students pay. He said he believes higher education brings more than just academic classes and the prospect of economic security, but also a population of informed citizens and a larger talent pool. “I don’t think it should be measured just on an economic scale; the value of a university education goes beyond that,” Cross said. “It’s important to understand what it means to have an educated citizenry; that’s the fundamental piece of what a higher education experience is all about.” The president also said the system is shifting and changing

to fit the needs of every type of student, not just those traditionally associated with college. The UW System currently offers around 5,400 online courses, Cross said, and has become a pioneer in the area of competency-based learning. Cross was a key player in the system’s creation of the UW Flexible Option program created in June 2012, which is a degree program tailored to adults who may have attended college or university but never received their degree. The second-year president also added more work can be done to prepare Wisconsin high school students for the transition to higher education, an effort he has incorporated financially into his biennial budget proposal. “We badly need to make sure that students get into the educational pipeline, that they succeed and retain in that educational pipeline, and that we connect them to businesses and opportunities both for their career and for their life here in Wisconsin,” Cross said.

ACLU Wisconsin requests rehearing of voter ID decision in federal appeals court The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin announced in a Tuesday statement it plans to file a request for a rehearing of the voter ID ruling from Sept. 12. Late last Friday, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals released an order, without the judges’ opinions, which allowed Wisconsin to reinstate a 2011 law that requires registered voters to present a valid photo ID to vote. Gov. Scott Walker released a statement after the Friday ruling calling it a “win … for voters

in Wisconsin” and adding that the law would make voting easier and cheating harder. The referral for a rehearing in the same court is known as “en banc” and usually includes the entire bench of judges in a particular court rather than the typical three-judge panel. According to University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of political science David Canon, it is likely the Court will accept the ACLU’s referral due to the “significance” and “timeliness” of the case. Canon pointed out there are

several ways the Court could go about receiving the case. He said the Court could expedite the process in order to reach a decision before the statewide elections in November or the Court could place a hold on the voter ID law while the Court reviews the case. Canon also speculated the Court could overturn the previous ruling on procedural grounds. “It’s fairly unusual to put a law back into effect without actually issuing the ruling,” he said. —Eoin Cottrell

EMILY GERBER/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

UW System President Raymond Cross stressed the importance of a college degree, despite the associated costs.

voter id from page 1 hours of training for poll workers, who are compensated for their time. “I am not sure this has a big impact on turnout,” Kennedy said. “There are always challenges for people who lack certain types of ID, for people who are not prepared in advance and wait for the last minute.” Gov. Scott Walker and state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen called the voter ID law a “common sense” provision for Wisconsin releases in separate statements on Friday. Several political student organizations have worked to increase turnout at the polls among students. The Badgers for Burke coalition, sponsored by the UW-Madison College Democrats and the Young Progressives, has registered 731 students as of Tuesday evening, according to College Democrats spokesperson Elizabeth Schounard. “The law falsely claims to

council from page 1 this appeal,” Ald. Mark Clear, District 19, said. “The amount of density and traffic is good for the businesses on Willy Street. Let’s move this project forward.” Common Council voted to

debate from page 1

EAST CAMPUS MALL

Stacks on stacks on stacks

Students raced to stack cups at a kickoff event Tuesday for the Greater University Tutoring Service. The event was located outside of the Student Activity Center where GUTS provides services to students in different academic areas. + Photo by Emily Buck

director, said the phrase ‘under God’ does not violate the law because children have the right to not recite the pledge and because it is fundamentally patriotic, not religious. AHA President Sam Erickson said he believes the pledge is “brainwashing” and excludes polytheistic religions. He added children face social outcasting by not participating in public and the issue is indicative of the larger issue of separa-

eliminate a problem that does not exist, while simultaneously keeping students, minorities and low-income Wisconsinites from voting,” Schounard said in a statement. “The right to vote is one of the most basic, fundamental principles of the United States, and Act 23 unfairly restricts that right.” Tom Gierok, chair of ASM’s Legislative Affairs Committee, shared concerns that the new policy would deter students from voting. “I think there is a strong possibility that students will not want to take this extra step when they have already had to take so many steps just to register,” Gierok said. “The late decision is really causing a problem.” To date, the Legislative Affairs Committee has overseen the registration of over 1,600 voters. Gierok said his organization will work on coordinating a voter outreach campaign to tell these students and those already registered about the change. move forward with the development project and reject the appeal in a narrow 8-7 vote. The Council also approved a funding measure for the city’s pilot organic waste collection program that Madison Mayor Paul Soglin characterized as “key.” tion of state and church. “We are not just a Christian nation,” Erickson said. Finally, the groups debated whether reason and faith are compatible. AHA said the two do not coincide because faith is firmly believing in something without truth while reason is logically justified by evidence. Badger Catholic said faith is not based on emotions or superstition but rather understood to be a “gift from God.” The group said faith doesn’t stop short of reason but goes beyond it.


life&style The classic bagel and lox gets brunch’d l

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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

By Kerry Huth THE DAILY CARDINAL

When it comes to brunch food, I welcome just about anything. Pancakes: awesome. Omelets: cool. French toast: more power to you. But, one of my absolute favorite brunch picks has to be the ever-tasty bagel and lox. For those of you who are new to the brunch scene, have no fear, I will explain. A bagel and lox consists of the best carb on the planet (the bagel, obviously) topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and normally some extras such as capers and onions. The overall effect is creamy and smoky, as well as salty, with a bit of crunch from the toasted bagel. I’d like to sincerely thank the genius who came up with this brilliant combination. I’ve been on a bit of a quest in search of the best bagel and lox in Madison. Narrowing it down was a tough job, mainly because I’ve never had a bagel and lox I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. However, I have reduced the list to three notable options around campus.

Bassett Street Brunch Club (BSBC)

The Basset Street Brunch Club offers a bagel and lox, clev-

erly named the Lox Box. This box comes equipped with some out of the ordinary toppings. Apart from the bagel and lox, the box includes chive cream cheese, pickled red onion, radish, cucumber and tomato. Never before had I eaten a bagel and lox with radishes for topping, but it was a combination that grew on me quickly. The unique toppings make the BSBC Lox Box a solid choice, but its definitely not standard.

The Old Fashioned

Second in order but never in taste is The Old Fashioned. They offer a bagel and lox on their weekend brunch menu and let me tell you, it’s sure to please. This brunch pick is the perfect way to start your Sunday. The toppings consist of the classic cream cheese, capers and onions. They also throw some greens tossed in a white wine vinaigrette on the side. The greens can be eaten as a side but I always add it to my bagel; the vinaigrette complements the smoked salmon perfectly.

Gotham Bagels

Never to be forgotten is the classic Farmer’s Market stop, Gotham Bagels. I couldn’t help but note that both BSBC and The Old Fashioned

use Gotham bagels for their bagel and lox, so I had no choice but to check the place out for myself. At first glance, I was unfortunately disappointed. There are no bells and whistles here, just the expected bagel, cream cheese, and lox. My harsh judgements proved false. It was one of the best things I have ever tasted. Gotham piled on that cream cheese and salmon as though it was the last bagel and lox I would ever eat. This bagel keeps things plain and simple, and that lack of extras is what makes it so wonderful. So, where can you find the best bagel and lox in Madison? It really depends on what you’re looking for. BSBC offers a bagel and lox with quite a few unique toppings. The Old Fashioned’s bagel and lox is a nice middle-ground; they offer more than the classic toppings, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Gotham is the holy grail for the classic, no-fuss bagel and lox, but you miss out on the extras. Whichever you choose, you really can’t go wrong with a good ol’ bagel and lox. True, nothing beats the crunch of a toasted bagel as the base for some cream cheese and smoky lox. Even more true, nothing beats a great brunch at three of the most trusted restaurants in Madison.

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NIAMH RAHMAN/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Basset Street Brunch club offers a Lox Box including onion, radish and tomato as opposed to a simple bagel and lox.

NIAMH RAHMAN/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The bagel and lox on The Old Fashioned’s brunch menu is served with greens tossed in a white wine vinaigrette.

Top ways to get your bedroom up to Pinterest standards By Samantha Silverman THE DAILY CARDINAL

Many college dorm rooms are so small that a bed, desk and dresser take up every inch of space. Even in high-rises and houses, it’s very unlikely to find a bedroom of decent size. Moving into this type of space can be a struggle not only for incoming freshman, but also upperclassman coming back from a summer away. Once all the essentials are moved in, all too often people give up on decorations worrying that they’ll add nothing more than clutter in an already cramped bedroom. However, with only a small amount of planning, optimizing

your space can be easy with creative shelving, light and patterns. Even better, this all can be done on a tight budget. A decorative shelving unit is a simple way to keep a room neat and still add a touch of personal style.

With only a small amount of planning, optimizing your space can be easy with creative shelving, light and patterns.

Specifically, hanging objects on the wall is a great way to satisfy the need for extra space, in

addition to flair. For example, hanging anything from a skateboard to a wooden crate on the wall can not only provide a surface to place books and other items, but can also create an aesthetic. Use these larger items as a focal piece and choose smaller pieces that work with them to create cohesion. If you feel like adding a more personal touch, paint whatever you choose to hang with your favorite color. In terms of lighting, it can really make or break the perceived size of a room. If you’re lucky enough to have a window, make sure to use it by keeping the shades open during

the day and not blocking any part of it with a bulky piece such as a bed or dresser. A little bit of natural light can open up a room tremendously. If you don’t have a window, make sure to buy a lamp with a small, skinny stand. This way it won’t take up a lot of the floor or desk space you so desperately need. Also helpful is to use multiple lamps and place them in opposite corners of the room to not only maximize lighting, but also give the impression of a bigger, more open space. When decorating the walls, make sure to choose items that match or at least add to one another. Wall décor in all kinds of col-

ors and patterns is distracting and can easily look cluttered. Keep it simple. Four small pictures arranged in an unconventional square can add character to a wall in a simple way. When in doubt, look for letters. Using your initials is a great way to decorate an empty wall. Lots of stores with décor departments sell a variety of letters at reasonable prices. Decoration can give a facelift to any small dull room. By coordinating everything in a creative way, you can give a space the boost it needs to be welcoming for all guests, all roommates and most importantly, yourself.

New York Fashion Week forecasts this upcoming season’s stand-outs By Maddy Heim THE DAILY CARDINAL

New York Fashion Week is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of the year. As a gathering of some of the world’s most talented designers, models and bloggers, it’s a fashion lover’s dream. Even among such talent, however, a few teams rise above the rest and stay in our minds once all the chaos is over. With this year’s focus on steping away from the conventional runway show, the following designers especially stood out, creating or reminding viewers that they’re the leaders of this artistry.

5. Isabella Rose Taylor

Her creations were refresh-

ingly fun, but the biggest news at this show was the story behind the girl herself. At 13 years old, Taylor is the youngest designer to grace Fashion Week, a feat that most aspiring designers her age can only dream about. The collection featured fringed tops, tennis skirts, and cloud graphics, but will no doubt be remembered most for the excitement the young designer expressed in her runway debut.

cal soundtrack, resulting in an effortlessly elegant feel. Models initially stepped out in militaristc-style clothing, but the following pieces loosened up in both structure and color palette. This transition emphasized Jacobs’ resounding message of the importance of removing oneself from the hectic nature of running from show to show and instead, taking a few moments to truly appreciate the current moment.

4. Marc Jacobs

3. Betsey Johnson

After much theatricality seen during Fashion Week, the iconic designer introduced a more relaxed pace. The runways design centered around a large pink house and was paired with a classi-

Notorious for her design creativity, Johnson delighted attendees with a new bridal line. She also celebrated LGBT culture and modern love throughout the entire show, but especially at the end as she was carried off by

drag queen Sharan Needles. Her clothing was a whimsical mix of feathers, multicolored tulle and metallic accents. Closing with her signature cartwheel and splits, Johnson proved once again how much fun fashion can be.

2. Opening Ceremony

Sometimes, one just needs a break from the typical and expected catwalk scene. Opening Ceremony took this idea and ran with it, creating instead a theatrical masterpiece entitled “100% Lost Cotton,” co-written by actor Jonah Hill and screenwriter Spike Jonze and shown at the Metropolitan Opera House. While feasting their eyes on the new collection, notably fea-

turing bold graphics in a variety of colors, the audience enjoyed a star-studded play about the business behind a runway show.

1. Polo Ralph Lauren

Though his brand epitomizes classic American style, Ralph Lauren took things to an unexpected level in Central Park during his Polo for Women show. Crowds watched in awe as a giant wall of water ascended from the lake, producing holograms of models displaying the season’s collection. The projected scenery included iconic New York images such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the classic skyline. Lauren joined the finale walk, greeted by resounding applause for the fascinating 4D show.


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Today’s Sudoku

Crazy how time flies: The Occupy Wall St. protest began 3 years ago, today, September 17th, 2011.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 • 5

Support your local music scene!

Not By Joyce

By Sean Reichard sreichard@wisc.edu

© Puzzles by Pappocom

Failed Awareness

By Tony Castagnoli tcastagnoli1025@gmail.com

Solution, tips and computer program available at www.sudoku.com.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Graph Giraffe classic

By Yosef Lerner graphics@dailycardinal.com

Today’s Crossword Puzzle

LAW SCHOOL FAIR

Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com GAZE IN2 THE ABYSS PLZ

ACROSS 1 Dried-up riverbeds 6 Apparently amazed 11 “Cool” amount 14 Public square, in ancient Greece 15 Mouselike rodents 16 Certain tax shelter 17 Shake things up 19 Made use of a divan 20 Kind of silence 21 Rushers make it 23 High beams 27 Triangle corner 28 “Local” groups 29 Turn informer 31 Proctor’s handouts 32 An Aussie call 33 Cincinnati threesome 36 They’re just for laughs 37 There are five in this puzzle 38 Orchestra tuner 39 “Lanka” preceder 40 Quite similar 41 Elliptic 42 Seedless oranges 44 “Summer Nights” musical 45 Got back, as hair 47 Computer accessory

48 Smoldering ash 49 Town noted for its shroud 51 Shout of disapproval 52 What a destroyer might target 58 Airport info, informally 59 Cleans up text 60 String quartet instrument 61 Pig tail? 62 Audition tapes 63 City near Salt Lake DOWN 1 Dove’s aversion 2 Reminiscer’s word 3 Disney dwarf 4 Aggravate 5 Cotton fabrics 6 Asserts 7 Expanding desert 8 Hand lotion ingredient 9 Ammo in a harmless shooter 10 Connoisseur of beauty 11 Be too late 12 More than ticked 13 Surgical glove material 18 Towel monogram 22 Continuing story line 23 Buzzi and Ginsburg

24 Lend ___ (pay attention) 25 Common sight in Alaskan waters 26 Typically messy eaters 27 Competes 29 Douses 30 Do, for one 32 Heater component 3 4 Bing, bang or boom 35 Exodus commemoration 37 Exploded, as a tire 38 Hansel and Gretel’s weapon 40 Sidestepped 41 Venezuelan river 43 “What ___ the odds?” 44 Crossword framework 45 Confederate soldier 46 Go overboard on stage 47 Newspapers, collectively 49 Barbershop touchup 50 “What’ve you been ___?” 53 Lyric work 5 4 Dog command 55 Antiquated 56 Pale pub potable 57 Unit of weight

Thursday, September 18, 2014 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Union South, Varsity Hall 1308 W. Dayton Street For a list of participating law schools and related events, visit http://prelaw.wisc.edu/law-school-fair-2014/

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arts News satire is the new comedy battleground l

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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

JAKE SMASAL smasaltov! Like the vast majority of my generation, I am the proud owner of a Facebook account. As someone who has maintained my Facebook account over the past year, I have seen a fair amount of clips from John Oliver’s new HBO show, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Oliver hosted “The Daily Show” while Jon Stewart was away directing his movie Rosewater (which, judging by the trailer, is going to be awesome). After Stewart returned to “The Daily Show,” HBO snapped up Oliver and his show, which premiered last April, has swiftly reached dizzying levels of popularity, especially with collegeaged students.

[Stewart] has been doing pretty much the same thing for years now and viewers are starting to get tired of it.

There are a few reasons “Last Week Tonight” has become so popular so quickly. Obviously, it’s on HBO, and the freedoms and increased budget allowed by HBO can have very positive effects on a program. Also, while it is easy to see the influence “The Daily Show” has on “Last Week Tonight” due to Oliver’s tenure on the program, his show only airs once a week, while Stewart’s airs five days a week. This is where the structures of the two shows differ. While Stewart cov-

ers different topics every day and covers developing stories, Oliver tends to take just a few minutes at the beginning of each show to cover a bunch of stories and then spends the majority of his program doing an extended monologue explaining and quantifying a certain, broader issue. These extended monologues are what make Oliver and his show so popular. By taking issues like student debt and net neutrality and boiling them down to a few points (normally involving outrage at some corporate sector), Oliver makes these issues both palatable and entertaining. His unflappable outrage at the denizens of corporate America are only made better by his British accent and utter disbelief at the facts he shares with the camera. And it works—it works remarkably well. Not a week goes by where I do not see something Slate, the Huffington Post or some comparable website have posted praising Oliver’s work and urging people to watch and share clips from “Last Week Tonight.” Bill Maher said in an interview last week that he would not watch “Last Week Tonight” so there would be no temptation to steal his material (Maher said this about comedic news shows in general, but mentioned Oliver specifically). This used to be Stewart’s territory. He used to be the acerbic comic in everyone’s newsfeeds. His rants about the antics of politicians and legendary election coverage are a huge part of what made him and Stephen Colbert the most trusted sources of news in America (an actual fact). However, Stewart seems to have lost some of his shine

since “Last Week Tonight” has taken off. He’s been doing pretty much the same thing for years now and viewers are starting to get tired of it. This does not necessarily mean that Stewart is any worse at his job; it just means that people seem to be looking for something new. One of the reasons Stephen Colbert maintained his popularity for so long (and got a cushy new job) is that viewers never really know what he’s going to do next. One week, he’s adopting an eagle, and the next he creates his own honest-to-goodness Super PAC. Stewart does not do those things; he reads the news and does interviews. If you watch the show today, most of the “investigative” reporting is done by correspondents, who increasingly have become a larger part of the show.

[Oliver’s] unflappable outrage at the denizens of corporate America are only made better by his British accent.

Both Stewart and Oliver are excellent comedians, and both deserve places on our televisions. But this is a transition period for their kind of news. As Colbert prepares for his transition to late-night and “Last Week Tonight” continues its ascendency, Stewart may not have any choice but to look on and appreciate the genre he helped popularize. Is Jon Stewart still the best at what he does? Let Jake know at smasal@wisc.edu.

dailycardinal.com

Comedian Judah Friedlander’s unique style brings gigs By Samuel Johnson THE DAILY CARDINAL

Instead of going to my Intro to Television class on Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of interviewing professional comedian and “30 Rock” star Judah Friedlander. He’s one of the most iconic comedians of his time; partly for the trademark trucker-hat-vibrantglasses combo he dons regularly and mainly for his killer comedy persona.

As a professional comic, Friedlander is known for his easily recognizable outfit.

When asked how he got his start in the stand-up scene, Friedlander told me, “Random open mics in New York. Actually, the first place I ever did stand-up was a comedy club in DC. They had a weekly open mic night, and I only got three minutes.” Performing stand-up is an intimidating and nerve-racking idea, but for those who have always wanted to give it a shot, Friedlander would tell them, “Don’t wait. Do it. Get up there. Put together like three minutes of material and start wherever you live, whether it’s a bar, comedy club, or college group. Go out there and give it a shot. The only way to get better is by going on stage and doing as much as you can.” On how to become a better comedian, Friedlander advises, “Every time you should be learning something about the venues and the audiences. One gesture can mean a laugh, the way you say the joke matters, and so does the order you tell

them in. They all need to be learned and refined.” As a professional comic, Friedlander is known for his easily recognizable outfit that includes custom trucker hats and stylish glasses. The outfit’s origin story starts back in the early ’90s. He said: “Years ago I started making my own hats. At the time, all the hipsters in New York would wear all black and very thin wired-rim glasses and goatees. I sort of decided, well it wasn’t really my look. I always had long hair. I was like; I’m going to go the opposite way of these guys. The first time I ever had to get glasses, the guy at the store told me the wired-rims were the coolest and would attract all the ladies, and I thought, ‘Why not celebrate the glasses, why hide them?’ So I got the biggest glasses. People would be like, ‘What are you doing? You’ll never get casted looking like that.’ I just wanted to do my thing; I wasn’t trying to get on a show. Cut to years later, people started wearing the same thing. People were looking for a ‘Judah Friedlander type.’ It went from agents telling me I’m too extreme looking to now, they’re looking for people that look like me.” A trendsetter that took chances with big payoffs, Judah Friedlander is not afraid to try new things. His current act involves lots of audience interaction, unprepared material, and exploring themes he’s not afraid to delve deep in. Friedlander will be performing at the Comedy Club on State this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. You can also hear him on the new Fox animated show “Bordertown” next year. His persona and talent are a combination you won’t want to miss.

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Check out dailycardinal.com for coverage of Evil Dead the Musical, which just finished its run at the Overture Center. + Graphic by Cameron Graff

This performance was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.


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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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opinion

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U.S. foreign policy simply reincarnation of old LAWRENCE WITTNER Letter to the Editor

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fter thousands of years of bloody wars among contending tribes, regions, and nations, is it finally possible to dispense with the chauvinist ideas of the past? To judge by President Barack Obama’s televised address on the evening of September 10, it is not. Discussing his plan to “take out” ISIS, the extremist group that has seized control of portions of Syria and Iraq, the president slathered on the highflying, nationalist rhetoric. “America is better positioned today to seize the future than any other nation on Earth,” he proclaimed. “Our technology companies and universities are unmatched; our manufacturing and auto industries are thriving. Energy independence is closer than it’s been in decades. . . . Our businesses are in the longest uninterrupted stretch of job creation in our history. . . . I see the grit and determination and common goodness of the American people every single day -- and that makes me more confident than ever about our country’s future.”

helped remove and destroy Syria’s declared chemical weapons so they cannot pose a threat to the Syrian people -- or the world -- again. And it is America that is helping Muslim communities around the world not just in the fight against terrorism, but in the fight for opportunity, tolerance, and a more hopeful future.” America’s greatness, he added, carries “an enduring burden. But as Americans, we welcome our responsibility to lead. From Europe to Asia -- from the far reaches of Africa to war-torn capitals of the Middle East -- we stand for freedom, for justice, for dignity. These are values that have guided our nation since its founding. Tonight, I ask for your support in carrying that leadership forward. I do so as a Commander-in-Chief who

ery, the seizure of a continent from its native people, lynching, child labor, the flouting of civil liberties, the exploitation of workers, legalized racial discrimination, and the war crimes committed by U.S. troops, most recently in Iraq? Furthermore, all of this forgotten history is topped off with the ritualized “May God bless our troops, and may God bless the United States of America.” God, apparently, is supposed to ride shotgun for the U.S. military. Or is it really that the U.S. military and the nation are the emissaries of God? In fairness to the president, it could be argued that he doesn’t actually believe this claptrap, but -- like so many of his predecessors -- simply dons a star-spangled uniform to sell his foreign policy to the American public.

American efforts “to address broader challenges to international order,” but not all the time -- only “wherever possible.” In short, Americans should get ready for another Coalition of the Willing, led by the United States and, sometimes, limited to it alone. Ironically, American “leadership” of military operations in the Islamic world has not only done much to spark the creation of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other extremist groups, but has destabilized and inflamed the entire region. American-led wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya -- coupled with U.S. military meddling in Syria, confrontations with Iran, arming of Israel, and drone strikes in many nations -- have left the region awash with anti-Americanism, religious strife, and weapons (many now directed

could not be prouder of our men and women in uniform.” Can anyone acquainted with American history really take this nationalist drivel seriously? When contemplating the “freedom,” “justice,” and “dignity” that “have guided our nation since its founding,” is there no recollection of slav-

But, in fact, the policy outlined in Obama’s speech is almost as nationalist as the rhetoric. Although the president promised that the United States would participate in a “broad coalition to roll back” ISIS, this would be a coalition that “America will lead.” Yes, there would be “partners” in

against the United States). Against this backdrop, the U.S. government would be well-advised to adopt a very low profile in the Middle East -- and certainly not “lead” yet another war, particularly one against Muslims. This restraint would mesh nicely with the U.S. government’s signature

This restraint would mesh nicely with the U.S. government’s signature on the UN charter, which prohibits the use of force by any nation except in selfdefense.

This rhetoric, of course, is the lead-in to yet another American-led war in the Middle East. “American leadership is the one constant in an uncertain world,” he stated. “It is America that has the capacity and the will to mobilize the world against terrorists. It is America that has rallied the world against Russian aggression. . . . It is America that

GRAPHIC BY CAMERON GRAFF

on the UN charter, which prohibits the use of force by any nation except in self-defense.

God, apparently, is supposed to ride shotgun for the U.S. military. Or is it really that the U.S. military and the nation are the emissaries of God?

The current situation provides a particularly appropriate time for the U.S. government to back off from yet another military crusade in the region. After all, ISIS is heartily disliked by a large number of nations. At the moment, it seems likely that the governments of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, and other lands would welcome the demise of ISIS and support UN action against it. Furthermore, this action need not be military. The United Nations could play an important role in halting the flow of financing and weapons to this terrorist group. The United Nations could restrict the movement of militias and foreign fighters across borders. The United Nations could resume negotiations to end the civil war in Syria. And, particularly in light of the hostility toward the United States that has developed in recent years among many Muslims, the United Nations could demand the disarmament and dismantling of ISIS with far greater effect than would similar action by the U.S. government. But can a nation shed its belief that it is uniquely qualified to “lead” the world? It can, if its citizens are ready to cast aside their nationalist illusions and recognize their interdependence with the people of other nations. Lawrence Wittner is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/ Albany. Do you agree that the U.S. should adopot a low-profile in the Middle East? Or do you have your own view? Send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com

Photo ID requirement for voting returns for fall election LIZZY SCHOUNARD Letter To The Editor

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ast Friday, the 7th requires Wisconsin voters to present photo identification on Election Day. The law, which passed in 2011 and was previously ruled unconstitutional, places an undue burden on the right to vote. This burden disproportionately affects minorities and people of lower income, who may not have access to the required identification. Governor Walker and Republicans in the state legislature continue to support a law that clearly violates the equal-protection clause of the United States Constitution and section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and it is all of the citizens of Wisconsin who will suffer as a result. Republicans support the law

under the pretense of eliminating voter fraud, yet their version of reality does not line up with the facts. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, who struck down Act 23 in April, presented evidence of less than 10 possible cases of voter fraud in recent elections, most of which were found to be accidental. Photo ID requirements will only prevent voter impersonation at the polls, of which there have been zero cases in Wisconsin. The law falsely claims to eliminate a problem that does not exist, while simultaneously keeping students, minorities, and low-income Wisconsinites from voting. So what does this mean for Wisconsin voters? On November 4th an approved form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport,

or state ID, to the polls. Yet, there are over 300,000 Wisconsinites who do not have this identification. Is it any coincidence that those who may not have ID also tend to vote Democratic?

Republicans support the law under the pretense of eliminating voter fraud, yet their version of reality does not line up with the facts.

Republicans have used their power as elected officials to ensure that they can continue to control the state come November. It is troubling that in a free and democratic society, one group is able to manipulate the powers of government for their

own benefit. It is apparent that voter ID laws like this exist because the Republican Party is afraid of the power of Wisconsin voters. The right to vote is one of the most basic, fundamental principles of the United States, and Act 23 unfairly restricts that right. The Republican Party seems to have embraced a new motto, one wherein if you can’t win the game, simply change the rules. So what can we do now? We will play by the rules, we will vote, and on November 4th, we will take back our state. Lizzy is the press secretary for the College Democrats of UW-Madison. What is your opinion on the recent voter ID ruling? Do you think it’s warranted? We want to hear what you think. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com

Follow @dailycardinal on Twitter and stay caught up on all the news.


Sports

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 DAILYCARDINAL.COM

Football

Week 4 Heisman watch By Jim Dayton THE DAILY CARDINAL

We’re now three full weeks into the 2014 college football season. That has given us enough time to peruse box scores, watch plenty of highlights and formulate some legitimate Heisman Trophy watch lists rather than preseason predictions that often turn out to be wildly incorrect. Check back in later weeks for updated rankings.

1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon QB

Excluding Reggie Bush’s vacated 2005 Heisman, quarterbacks have won 12 of the past 13 Heisman trophies. College football is dominated by spread offenses run by dual-threat quarterbacks, and Mariota is this season’s poster child for the 21stcentury passer. Mariota is putting up impressive numbers across the board. He has completed over 70 percent of his passes, thrown eight touchdowns and zero interceptions and recorded 11.4 yards per pass attempt, the third-highest figure in the nation. On the ground, Mariota might not be the most prolific running quarterback this season, but he has still averaged nearly eight yards per carry and scored three touchdowns.

2. Todd Gurley, Georgia RB

Georgia has faced two ranked opponents thus far, and Gurley has dominated both of them. He carved up Clemson in the season opener for four touchdowns, coming on runs of 18, 23 and 51 yards as well as a 100-yard kick return. Even in a loss to South Carolina last week, Gurley racked up 131 rushing yards and a touchdown, and also had a 54-yard touchdown

run nullified by holding. He is clearly the nation’s best running back.

3. Kenny Hill, Texas A&M QB

What a remarkable starting debut it was for Hill, when the sophomore decimated South Carolina on the road in the season opener for a school-record 511 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, Hill has yet to throw an interception while amassing 11 touchdowns. His 1,094 passing yards rank fifth in the country.

4. Jameis Winston, Florida State QB

Here’s the problem with Winston. He could replicate his Heisman-winning stat line from last season and still not retain his title. Since the Heisman was created in 1935, there has been only one repeat winner: Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in 1974-’75. Winston’s 3:2 touchdown-tointerception ratio is unimpressive, but he remains high on this list because of his incredible talent and the fact he could lead reigning champ Florida State to another undefeated regular season (the Heisman is awarded before the postseason begins).

5. Bo Wallace, Mississippi QB

Wallace is perhaps the nation’s best combination of explosiveness and accuracy from under center. His 75 percent completion rate leads the nation, and his 10.9 yards per attempt rank fifth. However, his four interceptions are rather high. Wallace’s candidacy is probably dependent on how well his team does. Even though Ole Miss is No. 10 in the nation, the Rebels are stuck in the SEC West, a division that currently features four other teams ranked in the Top 10.

6. Everett Golson, Notre Dame QB

First let’s acknowledge that the media absolutely loves Notre Dame, that Golson’s prodigal son narrative is a great storyline and that his Heisman candidacy will be aided by both of these facts. With that out of the way, Golson is still a good quarterback and deserves the hype. He has yet to throw an interception while tossing eight touchdowns. Even though his total passing yards and completion percentage are second-tier, voters will see that low interception total and fall for Golson, the leader of a resurgent Notre Dame team. WIL GIBB/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

7. Tevin Coleman, Indiana RB

Despite playing for the chronically depressing Hoosiers, Coleman is one of the nation’s top runners. He is averaging 218 rushing yards through two games, a full 32 yards better than second place. Coleman has averaged over nine yards per carry and racked up five touchdowns already. It’s hard to argue with those numbers, but playing for a mediocre team will likely hurt him down the road.

8. James Conner, Pittsburgh RB

It’s impossible to leave Conner off a Week 4 Heisman watch list after what he’s done through the first three games. His eight rushing touchdowns lead the country and his 543 yards rank second, a mere three yards behind first place. However, it’s going to be tough to keep this pace going, especially the touchdown frequency. Two of Pitt’s games have been against Delaware and Florida International. Even though the ACC Coastal isn’t exactly the toughest division

What’s in an early season upset? GREY SATTERFIELD 50 shades of grey

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ollege football season is in full swing, which means the upsets have started rolling in like a rising tide, but not a Crimson Tide (screw you Alabama). Last Saturday saw four ranked teams bite the dust. Georgia, USC, Virginia Tech and Louisville. This begs the question, why is college football full of top 25 teams that lose? Don’t get me wrong, I’ll drink up upsets all day long, but where’s the issue here? I see two.

1. Preseason Polls.

These polls are a big reason why teams get “upset” early in the year. They’re based off last year’s results. Florida State won the national title last year and didn’t lose everyone, so they’re preseason number one. Simple as that. The polls value program prestige over rational analysis. They don’t value coaching changes, players graduating or recruiting classes enough. This will lead to average football teams falling flat

on their faces early in the season. Everyone is surprised when a top 10 team loses, but if you look close enough, maybe it wasn’t much of an upset. Ohio State is a good example of this. Even after losing quarterback Braxton Miller and a weak performance against Navy, the Buckeyes still sat at No. 8 on the AP poll, after a preseason No. 5 ranking. This ranking was obliterated a week later when they lost to Virginia Tech, but the warning signs were there well before the Hokies scored their fifth touchdown in Columbus. Preseason polls also put way too much weight into conference affiliation. Yes, I believe the SEC is the best conference, but I don’t believe that there should be seven SEC schools in the top 15. That’s absurd. Ole Miss looks to have a good squad this year. However, wins over Boise State and Vanderbilt do not merit a No. 10 ranking. SEC affiliation is clearly boosting that number; don’t be surprised when the Rebels end up with four or five conference losses.

2. These are 20-year-old kids playing sports.

One of the hardest lessons to

learn in college football is that it’s just kids out there. Yes, there are pro coaches, pro reporters, big money apparel and TV deals, 80,000 seat stadiums, and pro gambling off in Las Vegas, but the players making the plays are young. Sometimes you just have to let it go when a 19-year-old sophomore tight end drops a pass that would’ve been a first down, or when a cornerback gets burned on a deep route. Thank god my face isn’t on Sportscenter when I have typo in one of my columns. When you look at the losses like Virginia Tech and USC’s last week, it is easy to see that teams coming off a big win, didn’t practice as hard, and weren’t focused to play against lesser-ranked teams. The so-called trap game is a big deal in college football. It’s when a team playing an inferior opponent and comes in thinking they’ll roll over them, typically coming off a big win the week before, or looking forward to a big matchup the following week. Upsets are always lurking in college football, that’s what makes it so fun. But don’t be shocked when ranked teams start dropping like flies in the weeks to come.

Taysom Hill could be a dark house Heisman candidate, but his 2013 performance against the Badgers should worry fans. in college football, the competition level will increase as the season continues.

9. Bryce Petty, Baylor QB

Petty missed an entire game due to a sore back, then returned in Week 3 and ripped Buffalo for 416 yards and four touchdowns. Missing that game against FCS opponent Northwestern State will hurt Petty’s overall numbers, but in the preseason he was already considered one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and a Heisman candidate. Playing for the country’s most prolific offense will only help Petty and his candidacy will continue to rise from here.

10. Taysom Hill, BYU QB

Consider this the Jordan

Lynch spot. Last year, Lynch, a dual-threat, mid-major quarterback, racked up amazing numbers and finished third in the Heisman race. While Hill’s stats are not on the same level as Lynch, his demolition of Texas in Week 2 made him an Internet sensation. He’s more of a runner than a passer, accounting for six touchdowns on the ground and just four through the air. Hill has always struggled against better defenses (Wisconsin shut him down last year), but BYU is 3-0 and plays a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way. If the Cougars reach 10 wins before the bowl game, Hill has an outside chance at the Heisman.

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