One could argue that 2012 was the year of the improbable for the Wisconsin Badgers football team more so than just about any other season in recent memory. Whether it was improbable TD's, OT losses, or even the 70-31 Big Ten Championship game win things really didn't go the way most had the season drawn up to go.
It really all started with our No. 8 story from yesterday because of the staff changes, but as improbable as the season went I don't think even the most crazy of predictions would've had the Badgers starting Curt Phillips at quarterback at all. Yet, that's exactly what we got down the stretch.
What Happened: Coming out of fall camp it was clear that Curt Phillips wasn't quite ready to be able to make all the throws and he was down to number three on the depth chart. However, after Danny O'Brien's unsuccessful stint as the starter at the beginning of the year up stepped Joel Stave. Stave directed the Badgers to wins and more importantly inspired confidence in the rest of the offense.
That all changed early in the 2nd half against Michigan State as Stave would be sacked by William Gholston and break his collar bone in the process. O'Brien was pressed into action and wasn't successful to say the least. After another uninspiring performance Wisconsin clearly needed to go another direction.
In stepped the improbable Curt Phillips as the 3rd quarterback to start a game for the Badgers. The fact that he was playing football still after 3 ACL tears in his right knee was crazy enough, but now he was going to start a football game for the first time in his career with a spot in Indy on the line? Thankfully he didn't need to be a flame throwing QB in his first start and the Badgers clinched a birth in Indianapolis against the Hoosiers and gave Phillips a chance to ease his way into the starters role.
As the weeks went on he became more and more comfortable in his role and showed off his ability to lead the team as he engineered last minute, game-tying drives in back-to-back weeks. Phillips is 2-2 as a starter and has completed 55% of his passes for 457 yards with 4TD's to just 1INT.
Why it Belongs on the List: If there's a better story in college football this season I'd love for you to show it to me. The fact that they guy was even able to get back on the field at all is a modern medical miracle. The fact that he did that and then became a successful starting QB that will lead the team to a Big Ten Championship and start in the Rose Bowl also doesn't hurt his case. Now imagine if Phillips goes out and wins the Rose Bowl for the Badgers to start off 2013? This story could have one hell of an ending to say the least.
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