The Wisconsin Badgers and the LSU Tigers are involved in what most football people think is the best game of the week at the start of the new college football season.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. LSU Tigers – Game in Houston
Saturday, August 30th – 9:05 PM ET
Odds: LSU -5
Why Wisconsin Can Cover
They ended last season poorly, losing at home to Penn State in the regular season finale and then falling to South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl. Losing two straight games is never a fun event, but losing them at the end of the regular season (when a better, bigger bowl berth was a possibility) and then in a bowl game creates an extra feeling of disappointment and dissatisfaction throughout the offseason. The way Wisconsin ended last season should motivate the Badgers and get them to play that much harder this year. Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen did a generally solid job with his team last season, and he’s had a chance to put his stamp on the program after taking over from former head coach Bret Bielema. If Andersen is a really good coach, and many people in college football think he’s exactly that, you’ll see Wisconsin use its basic formula of a punishing ground game and a bend-but-don’t-break defense against LSU. The Tigers are playing Brandon Harris, a brand-new quarterback, in this game. LSU had Zach Mettenberger last season, and Mettenberger could make all the throws that are expected of an elite SEC signal caller. Harris should represent a drop-off for the Tigers, and Wisconsin’s defense could definitely confuse him in this game, changing the outcome in favor of the team from the Big Ten.
Why LSU Can Cover
They have a better, faster defensive line than Wisconsin does. LSU head coach Les Miles loves his defensive linemen, the starters but also the depth he has. What separates many SEC teams from teams outside the conference is that their defensive linemen are faster than the others across the nation. LSU is a team that’s in position to bring the Wisconsin ground game to a halt. If indeed LSU does smother Wisconsin’s rushing attack, the Badgers will have no other place to turn to. Joel Stave couldn’t turn the corner last season as the leader of the offense. Wisconsin has a quarterback situation marked by question marks, and Tanner McEvoy is actually going to be the starter in place of Stave, the veteran, in this game. Both teams will have new quarterbacks, and if that’s the case, LSU can probably create more havoc on defense than Wisconsin. LSU can do more to disrupt the rhythm and confidence of a young and untested opposing quarterback. This is where the Tigers figure to make their move on Saturday – on defense and especially with their pass rush, not on offense. LSU just has to keep the ball on offense and not give Wisconsin a good look at a short field.
Outlook
If LSU’s use of a first-year quarterback is concerning for the Tigers and their fans, Wisconsin’s use of the same kind of player instead of an available veteran should be that much more alarming for the Badgers. LSU will intimidate McEvoy more than Wisconsin will scare Harris.
NCAA Football Picks: LSU -5
