Though it is unclear how the Rose Bowl will factor into the new, four-team football playoff, ESPN made sure that the event’s television home will not be in question for some time. The television network reached an agreement with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses as well as the Big Ten and Pac 12 conferences to continue televising the nation’s oldest bowl game through the 2026 season.

The new deal is an extension on the current contract that is set to expire after the 2014 season. The game will continue to be played at 4 p.m. central time on January 1 or on January 2 when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday.

For those who are looking to get their college football fix, editor-in-chief Andy Coppens had a chance to sit down with College Football guru Phil Steele earlier this week on a special edition of Badgers Power Hour. See what he had to say about the upcoming season.

The list of athletes with Wisconsin ties headed to the Olympics continues to grow. Former women’s track standout Egle Staisiunaite became the fourth Badger woman ever to qualify for an Olympic track and field event. She will be competing for Lithuania in the 400 meter hurdles.

Wisconsin junior Mohammed Ahmed will be competing in the 10,000 meters for the Canadian Olympic Team. He and former Badger Matt Tegenkamp, who qualified for the United States Olympic team last week, are the first tandem of Badgers ever to compete in the same event at the same Olympics.

The Big Ten is starting to take center stage here this week on the MTB College Sports Bucket List and that continues to be the case today as we take a look at one of the oldest rivalries in the United States, but it only involves one team from the Big Ten - Michigan State and a school that is a constant state of 'like' with the Big Ten - Notre Dame.

Before we move on, don't forget to take a look at some of the history between Iowa and Wisconsin, who now play for the Heartland Trophy.

No. 56: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame (FBS Football): 

This is a rivalry that dates back to 1897 and features one of the single greatest college football games of all-time. Just how good? It's known to this day as "The Game of the Century". It also features a trophy that has nothing to do with on the field play or anything relatable to the institutions of higher learning, but it's about cheerleading - The Megaphone Trophy.

Notre Dame holds a lead in the series overall at 46-28-1 and also since the introduction of the Megaphone Trophy at 32-26-1 in the 76 game series between these two rivals. 

For most you can't talk about this as a rivalry without pointing directly to "The Game of the Century" and that alone is a reason to include this nearly annual game on the list.

It's mid-week and that means time for another look around the Badgers program and who's making news here in The Sconnie Scoop. 

Perhaps the biggest news surrounds two former Badgers who were both involved in different ways in the 2012 NBA Draft. Jon Leuer's stint in Milwaukee lasted all of one season as he was part of a trade to the Houston Rockets that saw the Badgers swap 1st round picks and players.

The other is Jordan Taylor, who's draft stock may not be as good as Leuer's as he's predicted to not be drafted in almost every mock draft around. That may not be the worst of things though according to Jay Bilas.

Opinions on the "Death of the BCS" are all over the place, but you can't pass up a chance to poke some fun at Jerry Jones, which (shameless self promotion) we did over at Crystal Ball Run.

The folks over at Off Tackle Empire have made it Wisconsin week and it's been interesting reading to say the least. If you're looking for a bit of a fun look into the good and bad of the 2012 Badgers they did a good job of that.

Boy oh boy, that Justin Schultz guy is sure making it look a little like LeBron on the NHL side of things now that he's a free agent and SB Nation did a great look into what's going on with his free agency in this wild offseason for hockey. Author Bruce Ciskie is a great WCHA journalist as well and this is a great one by him.

Olympic fever is hitting Badger nation and tonight you'll want to find the US Swimming Trials as Ashley Wanland will be swimming in the finals of the 100 meter breaststroke, so good luck to her and ON WISCONSIN!

Though it may not be as highly touted as the showdown with Minnesota, the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes have been doing battle on the girdiron almost as long as the Badgers and Gophers.

The two interstate rivals first met in 1894, when the Badgers downed the Hawkeyes 44-0. It remains the largest margin of victory in the series to this day.

Football isn't the only school hot on the recruiting trail as Bo Ryan added his very first commitment to the 2014 recruiting class with the word coming from Ethan Happ. He's the first of what should be at least 4 if not 5 scholarships available in the 2014 class.

Haap had standing offers from two of Wisconsin's in state foes, Green Bay and Milwaukee and amongst the recruiting circles he has had a good spring and start to the summer that made him a rising quantity. 

Haap played his AAU ball for Quad City Elite and really ended his recruitment before it totally got off the ground in terms of offers from high major schools.

Ethan Haap Profile/Rankings: 

Position: Small Forward

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 190lbs.

Hometown/High School: Taylor Ridge, IL/Rockridge High School

Rankings: 

• 247sports: NR nationally, position, state
• ESPNRN: 3* (74 grade), #36 SF, #39 regional, #15 IL
• Rivals: 3*, NR nationally, position, or state
• Scout: NR

Thoughts & Video: 

Tell me if you've heard this story before about a Bo Ryan recruit - He wasn't highly recruited early on but began to rise just before signing with the Badgers. 

I know, I've heard that one quite a bit and adding this piece to the Badgers class could just be the foundation they need to a great class. Sure he may not have th stars or huge numbers, but how often are the ratings right or wrong? More often than not they aren't exactly dead on.

What I really like in him so far his his body type. He's already approaching 200lbs. before his Junior season and that bodes well for him coming in to Wisconsin with a body that's ready to contribute right away. 

Of course he can shoot from outside, but he's also got a very good back to the basket game for a small forward from what I'm told by those who've seen him in person.

Unfortunately there isn't any video on him as of yet, but if we find any we'll bring it to you via our Facebook page, so make sure you like it for those kind of exclusive updates.

Just less than 48 hours after landing a defensive lineman the Badgers earned commitment No. 10 for their 2013 class in the form of offensive line prospect Matt Miller. He becomes the third offensive lineman to commit to Wisconsin in this class.

Some services have him listed as a defensive end, but according to reports the Badgers have plans to use him along the offensive line instead. 

Wisconsin is having a summer full of quick commits as Miller was known to have bee offered just this past Sunday and made his commitment just a few days later. Miller camped at Ohio State in early June, but didn't receive an offer right away and visited Wisconsin just this past weekend. So, it's clear the campus and program made a huge impression on him right away.

Matt Miller Profile/Rankings: 

Position: OL

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 260lbs.

Hometown/High School: Toledo, OH/St. John's Jesuit

Rankings: 

• 247sports: 3* (86 grade), NR nationally, 36 (SDE though), 30th in OH
• ESPNRN: 3* (76 grade), #51 OG, #98 regional, #43 in OH
• Rivals: 3* (5.6 grade), NR nationally, 36 (OG), 49th in OH
• Scout: 3*, #31 OG

Thoughts & Video: 

Miller is a classic two way high school player, but Wisconsin is right in seeing his college future on the offensive line, just by watching his tape. He's a better prospect there than at his DE posisition in my book. 

He was a highly sought after prospect with offers from the likes of Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Miami (FL & OH), Michigan State and more. He also had interest from Tennessee and Ohio State, so he's no slouch.

He's been steadily adding weight to his frame and if he can get to 275-280 by the end of his Senior season he will be well on his way to becoming another big Badger O-Lineman. It will be interesting to see if he is one of the kids that may become an early entrant because I think it would behove him in terms of better learning the position and getting on a weight and diet program at the University. Now, I'm not saying that will happen, but he could be a prime candidate for something like that.

Playing both sides of the ball Miller clearly has the athletic ability to be a pulling guard for Wisconsin, which is a trademark for any guard of the last 15 years or so. The one area of concern in watching his tape is something we see a lot of from guys at this level and it's that he plays too upright out of his stance. At the high school level you can get away with that sort of stuff because chances are you are bigger and stronger than the guy across from you, but at the collegiate level DT's will eat you up if you play like that.

Overall Miller is a prospect that I could see develop into a road grader type guard and be someone that surprises by the end of his career at Wisconsin.

Check out his tape from his Junior season below:

Wisconsin's 2013 recruiting class grew by one late yesterday as news broke that Iowa native Sam Raridon chose to commit to the Badgers, making it nine known commitments for Bielema and the Badgers. He's the second commitment along the defensive line in the class and could be a fine pick up for the future of the line.

His commitment came fast as the Badgers offered on June 17th and Wisconsin got the verbal just last night.

Sitting at nine already expect the Badgers to have about three or four more players to add to the program for the class. What's missing still? How about a QB and a RB, both positions Wisconsin have multiple offers out on and could see commitments throughout the summer from those positions.

This could be a classic case of the "under the radar" pick up for Wisconsin, but let's meet the newest Baby Badger together, Welcome Sam Raridon.

Raridon's Profile/Rankings: 

Position: Defensive Tackle

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 256lbs.

Hometown/High School: West Des Moines, IA/Valley High School

Rankings: 

• 247sport: No stars & not rated at all
• ESPNRN: 3*, #77 position, #142 regional, #3 state (IA)
• Rivals: 3*, NR national or position, #3 state (IA)
• Scout: 3*, #57 DT nationally

Thoughts & Video: 

Wisconsin has a nice commitment on it's hands despite what the rankings may say. Raridon comes to the Badgers from what has been the most prominent and dominant program in the state of Iowa - West Des Moines Vally. They regularly produce multiple BCS level players and Raridon wasn't exactly a totally unknown quantity in recruiting circles as he also had a known offer from the home state Hawkeyes along with interest from Iowa State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Purdue.

After seeing Raridon's video and studying what others have to say I think the Badgers have a total diamond in the rough. However, I think Raridon could be best suited to play at the DE position with his skill set. The only thing holding him back there could be his height, only standing 6'2" tall, probably about three or four inches too short. 

Raridon is a very athletic and strong DT already, running at 4.9sec 40yd dash and benching 345lbs. He plays very well with his hands, uses leverage, and sheds blocks well. Additionally he sees and has a feel for the game that's clearly ahead of most his age. I could be off, but his tape reminds me of current Badger, Brendan Kelly, in that the motor doesn't seem to stop and he finds a way to make plays no matter what's happening.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a force inside because he brings something that's so different to that position, but he should probably see a redshirt because he will need more weight if they keep him inside. 

For me Wisconsin has another recruiting coup on it's hands and you can judge for yourself here:

It's nearing July already and with that our focus is turning not only to the Olympics but the two time defending Big Ten Champion Badger football team. We were honored to be joined by Phil Steele LIVE on the show earlier today. If you missed it, what the heck? I know you guys can get up early, I've seen the tailgates going at 6am on a Saturday in the fall for crying out loud!!

Luckily we love our readers, so here's the episode for your listening pleasure. 

Don't forget for all you smart phone users out there, make life easy and download Stitcher - Smart Radio for your iPhone or android devices. It'll allow you to never have to manually update for our show & you'll never miss an episdoe. 

It has been reported that defensive tackle Sam Raridon from Iowa has orally committed to UW for the 2013 season. The 6’2, 256 pound member of the 2013 class was extended a scholarship offer from the Badgers after attending a high school camp in Madison last week.

Adam Rittenberg of espn.com discussed an interesting position on the Big Ten Blog on Monday. In his post, he brought up the blooming football rivalry between Wisconsin and Michigan State. Both the Badgers and the Spartans have been powers in the Big Ten in recent seasons while Michigan and Ohio State work to return to the top.

Olympic Trials are in full swing in a variety of sports and many current UW student athletes and alumni are among the participants. Former Wisconsin runner Matt Tegenkamp qualified for the United States men’s track and field team with a second place finish in the 10,000 meters on Friday. This marks the second consecutive time Tegenkamp has qualified for the games.

The U.S. Swimming and Diving Trials began on Monday and several with ties to UW will be vying for spots on the Olympic team. Five current men’s swimmers and 14 women’s swimmers will be representing the Badgers in Omaha, Neb.

Men’s swimmer Michael Weiss qualified sixth for the 400-meter IM finals which will air on the NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. central time on Monday. The top-two qualifiers will make the Olympic team.

Women’s hockey head coach Mark Johnson is staying local with his newest recruit. Rachel Jones of Berlin, Wis. announced Thursday that she will be joining the UW women’s hockey team for the 2012-13 season. Jones, a forward, played her high school hockey for the Madison Capitiols.

Overall it was a pretty successful weekend for current and former Badgers as the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials got underway. The weekend featured former Badger Matt Tegenkamp earning his second straight trip to the Olympic games as he finished 2nd in the 10,000 meters on Friday, the opening night of the trials. 

Hear him in his own words after earning his birth right here: 

Watch more videos on Flotrack

Tegenkamp ran the 5000 meters for the USA in the 2008 Beijing games and stepped up the distance just four year later, running for Oregon Club Elite. 

It was an underdog performance to say the least as he wasn't one of the favorites in the event, yet he joined winner Galen Rupp (also of Oregon Club Elite) in breaking the previous trials record. Tagenkamp ran 27:33.94 to place second, finishing 8 seconds behind Rupp, but 3 seconds ahead of 3rd place finisher Dathan Ritzenhein.

The Badgers could end up with two runners in the 10,000 meters at the Olympics should Mohammed Ahmed make the Canadian team during his run on Wednesday.

Over the weekend the Decathlon was also contested and it was a sight to see if you had the chance to watch, as two Badgers competed in the event that saw winner Ashton Eaton break the World Record in the event scoring 9,039 points to take the win. Former Badger and 2007 NCAA Outdoor Decathlon champion, Joe Detmer finished just out of a spot in 4th with 7,931 points. In David Grzesiak's first attempt at a U.S. National Championship the senior finished 13th (4th amongst collegiate participants) with 7,009 points.

The vast majority of Badgers competing at the trials will see competition heating up this week as finals go off in most events over this coming weekend. We'll be here to cover it all, so check back here and follow us on Twitter as we update when information breaks all week long.