Austin Peay
N/A0-0
Wisconsin
2nd Big Ten11-1
Austin Peay @ Wisconsin preview
Camp Randall Stadium
Wisconsin is 3-0 and ranked No. 10, but there’s been an insistence for coach Bret Bielema to defend his team’s standing.
It’s been with good reason.
With injuries and inconsistent play that have plagued them through the first three games, the Badgers may be the most puzzling top 10 team in the nation. Football observers will keep an eye on how well they focus when Austin Peay (2-1) comes to Madison on Saturday.
At times, Wisconsin looked like the dominant team in wins over UNLV, San Jose State and Arizona State, led by the play of running back John Clay and its big, experienced offensive line. But the Badgers also have given up big plays, made big mistakes, and allowed opponents to keep games too close for comfort.
In last week’s 20-19 victory over Arizona State, which was secured by Jay Valais’ block of an extra point late in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils returned kickoffs 97 yards for a touchdown and 95 yards on the last play of the first half that was stopped by a touchdown-saving tackle.
Turnovers in the first two games led directly to opponent touchdowns or negated Wisconsin scoring chances.
Bielema will be looking for some comfort in his team against Austin Peay, a FCS program that will try to make its mark against a BCS conference team that appears to have pressing flaws. On paper, this should be a tune-up game before Wisconsin opens Big Ten play at Michigan State on Oct. 2.
Austin Peay features a balanced offensive attack and some big-play ability. Last week in a 26-23 win over Tennessee State, running back Ryan White had 112 rushing yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Jake Ryan completed 13-of-21 passes for 178 yards, including the winning touchdown pass in the final minute.
Wisconsin enters the game banged up and in need of finding rhythm. Linebacker Chris Borland, the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, re-injured his shoulder against Arizona State and will miss the rest of the season. Wide receivers David Gilreath (concussion) and Nick Toon (toe) were out last week, the second game in a row for Toon, and were still not cleared to play as of midweek. Tackle Josh Oglesby (knee) also missed the Arizona State game.
While the Badgers defense has struggled, the offense has been superb, despite the turnovers in the first two games. Clay had his ninth straight 100-yard game last week, and quarterback Scott Tolzien (19-of-25, 246 yards) had his best game of the year. Tight end Lance Kendricks (seven catches, 131 yards, TD) filled in nicely in an injury depleted receiving corps.
Lost in the stats was Wisconsin’s last possession against Arizona State. The Badgers held the ball for the final 4:01, driving 65 yards to the Arizona State 18 before Tolzien took a knee on the final three plays. It was the second game in a row that Wisconsin took a knee inside the opponent’s 20 to end the game.
It’s been with good reason.
With injuries and inconsistent play that have plagued them through the first three games, the Badgers may be the most puzzling top 10 team in the nation. Football observers will keep an eye on how well they focus when Austin Peay (2-1) comes to Madison on Saturday.
At times, Wisconsin looked like the dominant team in wins over UNLV, San Jose State and Arizona State, led by the play of running back John Clay and its big, experienced offensive line. But the Badgers also have given up big plays, made big mistakes, and allowed opponents to keep games too close for comfort.
In last week’s 20-19 victory over Arizona State, which was secured by Jay Valais’ block of an extra point late in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils returned kickoffs 97 yards for a touchdown and 95 yards on the last play of the first half that was stopped by a touchdown-saving tackle.
Turnovers in the first two games led directly to opponent touchdowns or negated Wisconsin scoring chances.
Bielema will be looking for some comfort in his team against Austin Peay, a FCS program that will try to make its mark against a BCS conference team that appears to have pressing flaws. On paper, this should be a tune-up game before Wisconsin opens Big Ten play at Michigan State on Oct. 2.
Austin Peay features a balanced offensive attack and some big-play ability. Last week in a 26-23 win over Tennessee State, running back Ryan White had 112 rushing yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Jake Ryan completed 13-of-21 passes for 178 yards, including the winning touchdown pass in the final minute.
Wisconsin enters the game banged up and in need of finding rhythm. Linebacker Chris Borland, the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, re-injured his shoulder against Arizona State and will miss the rest of the season. Wide receivers David Gilreath (concussion) and Nick Toon (toe) were out last week, the second game in a row for Toon, and were still not cleared to play as of midweek. Tackle Josh Oglesby (knee) also missed the Arizona State game.
While the Badgers defense has struggled, the offense has been superb, despite the turnovers in the first two games. Clay had his ninth straight 100-yard game last week, and quarterback Scott Tolzien (19-of-25, 246 yards) had his best game of the year. Tight end Lance Kendricks (seven catches, 131 yards, TD) filled in nicely in an injury depleted receiving corps.
Lost in the stats was Wisconsin’s last possession against Arizona State. The Badgers held the ball for the final 4:01, driving 65 yards to the Arizona State 18 before Tolzien took a knee on the final three plays. It was the second game in a row that Wisconsin took a knee inside the opponent’s 20 to end the game.