We're finally here.

All season, teams have been working toward playing in a bowl game, and for No. 14 Miami and No. 24 Wisconsin, tonight is the night for that game.

Both teams finished their respective regular seasons ranked with 9-3 records, and both certainly had much higher expectations for this season. Still, the Hurricanes and Badgers were never expected to even make it this far before the 2009 season started.

A year ago, Wisconsin was run out of town by an impressive performance from Florida State (and a terrible one by the UW). This time around, the Badgers appear better focused and ready for what promises to be a tough battle with a team playing close to home.

As has been reported by many news outlets already, it's the running game of each team that will be the key to the outcome of the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl, though the passing attacks should make an impact as well.

The Badger Herald is proud to provide live blog coverage of this year's Champs Sports Bowl. Managing Editor Michael Bleach and Sports Editor Jordan Schelling are in the press box at the Florida Citrus Bowl after enjoying some (perhaps too much) sun at the pool this afternoon.

Thank you for joining us and please join us below for our live blog and provide commentary as you watch the game, or follow our coverage as your source of information.

Beau Allen was a prospect at the very top of the list for the UW coaching staff, and the hard work put into securing a commitment from the 300-pound defensive tackle paid off.

After narrowing his decision to Notre Dame, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Allen felt UW was the best fit. The Minnesota-native, who is regarded as the top player on UW's 2010 commitment list, also had notable offers from Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska.

With the large majority of defensive tackles leaving UW at season's end, Allen's commitment fills a gigantic need. His size will instantly put him in the running for playing time as the UW coaching staff tries to determine who will play alongside Patrick Butrym at the start of the 2010 season.

Look for Allen and fellow class of 2010-commitment Bryce Gilbert to compete from the start with current Badgers Jordan Kohout, Eric Briedis and Ethan Hemer for a spot in the D-line rotation next fall.

Marquette University and men's basketball head coach Buzz Williams announced that freshman forward Jeronne Maymon is leaving the program.

The former Madison Memorial standout has decided to leave after just ten games with the Golden Eagles. Speculation suggests that the main reason for Maymon's decision revolves around playing time at the center position. Maymon was not seeing very much action, and he was playing center for the Golden Eagles (a position he didn't seem excited about playing).

Now Badger fans will remember Maymon as the friend of five-star recruit Vander Blue, who at one time committed to UW. Blue and Maymon are close and Blue ended up choosing Marquette after a long, dramatic recruiting saga. It will be interesting to see how Maymon's absence effects Blue's collegiate future.

Bo Ryan and the UW staff have clearly moved on from the Blue situation, and I would bet that Blue stays at Marquette. But regardless, Maymon is already on his way to a new school that is still to be determined.

After a 2-0 Wisconsin lead turned into a 3-3 OT final, the men's hockey team hopes to get a win tonight in Grand Forks, ND.

Blake Geoffrion, Craig Smith and Andy Bohmbach scored for UW, but the Badgers only had 10 shots on goal in the final two periods as they withstood a slew of penalties that allowed North Dakota to tie the game up and force overtime.

Join Herald sports editor Adam Holt as he covers the action live from the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Scroll down for live blog.

A week ago, the Badgers were riding high, hoping to avoid an upset against Grambling State after pulling off an incredible win over then-No. 6 Duke.

This week, Wisconsin is focused on avoiding a second consecutive loss to an in-state rival. Head coach Bo Ryan's squad hosts the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Kohl Center in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Ryan's men's hoops teams have never finished worse than 2-1 in the in-state round robin series since he started at Wisconsin. A loss today would mean the first losing record against in-state opponents in more than eight years.

Following the Badgers' surprising defeat at UW-Green Bay, senior guard Trevon Hughes and junior forward Jon Leuer will need to deliver big performances to get Wisconsin back on track.

More importantly, though, the Badgers' other three starters, as well as UW's bench contributors, will need to step up to provide the team with a more balanced scoring approach.

It promises to be a thriller regardless of the final result, and Badger Herald Sports Editors Michael Bleach and Jordan Schelling will be providing live coverage from the Kohl Center.

Scroll down to join them as they blog live from Section 208 of the Kohl Center.

It's a battle of ranked teams as the No. 11 Wisconsin men's hockey team takes on the No. 3 North Dakota Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks, ND.

UW (10-5-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) will hope to gain some ground on conference leader Colorado College this series, but UND is a tough opponent, boasting the league's best scoring defense. While the Badgers' 'D' is no pushover either, the UW offense will need to step up and show the Sioux why it averages 4.12 goals per game.

UW's usual Friday night starting goaltender Brett Bennett is out with an injury, so Scott Gudmandson gets the call tonight.

Join Herald sports editor Adam Holt as he covers the action live from the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, ND.

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With the regular season coming to a close, Wisconsin continues to haul in accolades for its surprising season.

The latest awards were given to a pair of freshman linebackers by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg. The site's Big Ten blogger named redshirt freshman Mike Taylor and true freshman Chris Borland to his All-Big Ten freshman team Tuesday.

Taylor led the Badgers in tackles before going down with a torn ACL midway through the season. His replacement, Borland, stepped in and allowed the Badgers to continue without missing a beat the rest of the season.

Borland also earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors after the conference season ended.

In addition to the freshman team honors, Rittenberg released his All-Big Ten team, which included UW running back John Clay, tight end Garrett Graham, offensive lineman Gabe Carimi and defensive end O'Brien Schofield.

Clay also was named offensive MVP and Wisconsin earned the Big Ten's biggest surprise honors following a 9-3 season and tying for fourth place in the conference.

It was announced today that the Wisconsin Badgers will be heading back down to Orlando for the second straight post-season.

UW, who is back in the top-25 after destroying Hawaii (#24 in the AP, #22 in the coaches' poll), is set to play Miami (#14 in the AP) in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Hurricanes are 9-3 on the year and they finished 5-3 in ACC play.

Many believed the Badgers would be bowling in Tampa Bay at the Outback Bowl, but the Northwestern Wildcats, who beat the Badgers and are ahead in the Big Ten standings, were selected to play unranked Auburn in that contest.

Wisconsin is not playing in a New Year's day bowl, but they do get to play one of the top 15 teams in the country - a challenge the Outback bowl would not present.

After romping to an 8-2 win last night, the Wisconsin men's hockey team will go for the sweep against Michigan Tech.

Senior tri-captain Blake Geoffrion netted his first career hat trick against the Huskies and in all, 12 different Badgers registered a point on the night. Junior Brendan Smith had four assists.

MTU was doomed after the first period, entering the first intermission down 4-1. UW head coach Mike Eaves said he expects the Huskies to come out firing tonight.

Join Herald sports editors Adam Holt and Max Henson as they cover the action live from the Kohl Center.

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The Wisconsin men's hockey team (8-5-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) returns home from a two-week road trip for a series against Michigan Tech (3-9-0, 2-8-0 WCHA).

The Badgers toppled No. 7 Michigan State 7-3 last Friday before falling 3-2 against Michigan Saturday to go 1-1 in the College Hockey Showcase. Sophomore Derek Stepan had five points for UW against the Spartans.

Michigan Tech is riding a three-game losing streak. The Huskies may only have three wins, but one came over St. Cloud State, a team the Badgers split against on the road. Their other most recent win came against No. 18 Minnesota-Duluth, a 3-2 road win Nov. 13.

Join Herald sports editors Adam Holt and Max Henson as they cover the action live from the Kohl Center.

Scroll down for live blog.

It's the most anticipated game of the year, and with good reason.

Rarely do the Badgers see a team of Duke's caliber come to town to square off in the Kohl Center.

The last nonconference opponent of a similar nature to the Blue Devils to come to Madison was then-No. 2 Pittsburgh in December 2006.

Wisconsin looks for its third consecutive victory over an ACC opponent Wednesday night while Duke will simply look to remain undefeated and add another strong nonconference victory to their resume.

Follow along with BH sports editors Michael Bleach and Jordan Schelling as they provide live coverage of Wisconsin's biggest game of the season so far.

Watching on ESPN is a good starting point for this game, but to truly enjoy the game, interact with our live blog below.