Cotton Bowl Countdown: Final preparations

Football Cotton Bowl 2017 AT&T Stadium practice

Photo by: David Stluka

Cotton Bowl Countdown: Final preparations

January 01, 2017 | Football

UW Bowl Central Shelton can look back on record-setting run with a smile Matchups to Watch: Wisconsin vs. Western Michigan 'Many individuals. One heartbeat.'VIDEO: Cotton Bowl Breakdown: Expectations at QB Cotton Bowl Countdown: Media Day Varsity: One more time VIDEO: Badgers visit Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children VIDEO: Players earn rest day in Dallas Cotton Bowl Countdown: Time for a break Cotton Bowl Countdown: Team bonding and giving back VIDEO: Cotton Bowl Breakdown: Defending the read option VIDEO: Cotton Bowl Breakdown: Stern test for Shelton, secondary VIDEO: Cotton Bowl Breakdown: Clement, Run Game Ready Cotton Bowl Countdown: Getting acclimated Cotton Bowl Countdown: Badgers arrive in Dallas Big-time bowl = Big-time fun

Follow the Badgers all week as they prepare for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

DALLAS — It's Sunday — full Day 6 — and New Year's Day here in Texas. Happy New Year! The Badgers have a jam-packed schedule today of game preparation, coach press conferences and the team's final practice this afternoon at AT&T Stadium for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Fun fan events are kicking into high-gear today, including a Battle of the Bands.

In case you missed it, Saturday's Cotton Bowl Countdown followed along with the Badgers as they practiced and then met with the media, including some fantastic videos from events the past few days.

Sunday, Jan. 1: Day 6 in Dallas

This week's football story not to miss from UWBadgers.com Insider Andy Baggot. One of our favorites capturing the essense of the season.

Each day, the #Badgers start things off with a thought-provoking quote. The exercise is about much more than words.
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 1, 2017

First up on today's schedule? Head coach Paul Chryst spoke to the media at the Head Coaches News Conference.

Good morning and happy new year from Dallas! ?????? ?? Paul Chryst will speak at the @CottonBowlGame Head Coaches News Conference at 8:30am CT.
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 1, 2017

The Head Coaches news conference is about to get underway. Tune in here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rxwt8oI72o …
— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2017

"Our responsibility and our challenge is to finish this year the best we can." - Coach Chryst
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 1, 2017

Anybody else ready for some ???! #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 1, 2017

Let's get to know wide receiver Rob Wheelwright better this morning. He's up for 60 seconds of questions.

Celebrity crush? Favorite campus spot? Which superpower does he want? Think you know @Rob_wheels?
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 1, 2017

Here's the full schedule of events for Wisconsin fans in town this weekend. See you there!

In Texas for the big game? Don't miss all the fun leading up to the @CottonBowlGame, including today's pep rally!
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

It's the final day of prep before gameday and the Cotton Bowl Classic's outstanding hospitality continues for the teams.

The great @CottonBowlGame events roll on as part of bowl week, as the team is enjoying the Big Play Luncheon.
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Great food and presentation at the Big Play Luncheon. Tomorrow, we play ??
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Who's wearing that classic W sweater better?

Bucky... meet Bucky. The Badger tire art has arrived to the @Goodyear Big Play Luncheon. #OnWisconsin
— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2017

Hospitality and great entertainment from the Cotton Bowl Classic was on big musical display today at the Battle of the Bands — a party to show off both the University of Wisconsin and Western Michigan's marching bands. Check out these great pics! Which band do you think won the battle? (We're voting Wisconsin all the way!)

Battle of the Bands in Texas! Always great to have the @uwbadgerband along on bowl trips with @badgerfootball! #OnWisconsin

A photo posted by Wisconsin Badgers (@uwbadgers) on Jan 1, 2017 at 1:58pm PST

#BattleOfTheBands
— Cotton Bowl Classic(@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2017

The best @PlainsCapital Bank Battle of the Bands yet! The @UWBadgers and @WMUBroncos came to play!
— Cotton Bowl Classic(@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2017

Back at AT&T Stadium, it's one final practice for the Badgers. And the last one for our seniors!

Always a fun tradition. Last practice of the season means jersey swap for the #Badgers.
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Soon... ?????????????????? #OnWisconsin || #Badgers
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Looking for matchups to watch in tomorrow's @CottonBowlGame? We suggest you keep an eye on the #Badgers' backfield.
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Going out on top. Seniors carried off the field by teammates after the final practice of the season. We'll miss these guys. #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Thank you, seniors! #OnWisconsin ??
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

Fantastic feature story from Andy Baggot on Wisconsin's senior ironman Sojourn Shelton. He'll be earning his 51st start tomorrow.

"I've been blessed" Sojourn Shelton will start his 51st game with the #Badgers tomorrow in the @CottonBowlGame.
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

In case you missed it, learn more about the Badgers' tradition of sharing meaningful thoughts with their teammates.

"We've all learned a bunch of life lessons out of the game from each other. "This is a way of saying it."
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) January 1, 2017

The final countdown to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has begun ...