As a team, Wisconsin is clearly out-talented by LSU. Connor Neighbors makes a great block, Fournette cuts back and the only thing between him and the endzone is the soon-to-be-crumpled remains of Howard Matthews.
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Wisconsin and LSU, historically, have faced each other three times, and at the end of each, LSU has walked away the victor.
But, the series doesn’t stop there.
These two teams met in the first week of the 2014 season in Houston in what turned out to be a comeback victory for the Tigers.
The Badgers have hung tough with the Big Ten’s Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State over the years due to their discipline and tenacity – the same qualities that make them such a big threat to the Tigers if they don’t come to play Saturday. But that’s exactly the case on Saturday when LSU takes on Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
This time, it will be the Badgers who have the majority of the crowd behind them, the familiarity of all those Cheeseheads stuffed pimento-style into iconic Lambeau Field.
Spread: LSU started the week favored by 10 points.
Junior strong safety Jamal Adams will be someone to watch for on LSU’s defense. In 2015, Fournette ran for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. Now though, Aranda is patrolling one of the best defensive groups in the country in Baton Rouge, and while there’s no bad blood or animosity, it serves as a storyline nonetheless.
Despite all the recruiting star talent USC gets each year, the Trojans were very average on defense in 2015 and downright terrible at stopping the pass. However, Aranda now works under the direction of Les Miles. While LSU has the better talent and more depth, their passing game is still suspect. However, to attempt to lock in the win, the Tigers must stop Wisconsin’s running back Corey Clement, who looks to make the most impact on this game. If the defense overcommits to the play side, there will be a huge cutback through the weak side B-gap.
I believe this game will be tough and gritty, but as the game wears on the Tigers depth will prove to be too much for Wisconsin, who don’t quite have as deep a team as they had during the Dave Aranda years.
Kickoff is officially at 2:36 p.m.
Defending against a Lambeau Leap is a problem college coaches haven’t anxious about for some time. Rules prohibit excessive celebration as well as going into the stands to interact with spectators.
Celebrations in college football are illegal and would draw a 15-yard penalty. Additionally quarterback Bart Houston will need to limit his mistakes and keep the offense moving forward to prevent having constant three and outs.
Houston, who was named after former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, will take to the field where Starr became famous. This year, Lambeau Field plays host to the University of Wisconsin’s opener. He has both the speed and the power as a runner to change the game with one play. And this seems to be as big of a danger of that since, well, the Wisconsin game the Tigers rallied to win 28-24 in Houston in 2014. “It is an honor to be able to stage College GameDay from Lambeau as we kick off this opening weekend filled with top-caliber games”. Watt is entering his first season as a starter but showed in the spring and again in camp he can be a playmaker.
However, LSU has a vested interested in this game as well, for a loss would cast a lot of doubt over LSU’s entire program.
FOXSports.com’s Stewart Mandel: LSU 31, Wisconsin 17.
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But, it is college football, and as many fans know from experience, anything can happen.
