Oregon State @ Wisconsin preview

THE STORY: Russell Wilson dazzled in his Wisconsin debut. The senior quarterback threw for 255 yards and scored three touchdowns in the ninth-ranked Badgers’ 57-17 victory over UNLV. However, his first real test will come this weekend against Oregon State. The Beavers are coming off a 29-28 overtime loss to FCS Sacramento State. Head coach Mike Riley announced that Ryan Katz, the team’s starter last year, will split duties with redshirt freshman Sean Mannion, who was 8-of-12 for 143 passing yards after entering in the third quarter.

These two schools have one previous meeting, a 23-20 Wisconsin victory in 1961.

TV: ESPN. Line: Wisconsin -20.5.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (0-1): Oregon State could be without freshman running back Malcolm Agnew, who rushed for an FBS-best 233 yards and three touchdowns against Sacramento State. He is listed as doubtful with a pulled right hamstring. The loss against the Hornets ended a nine-game win streak in home openers for the Beavers. Riley was forced to play eight true freshmen, which surpassed the previous record of seven set in 1997, Riley’s first year with school.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (1-0): Wilson’s 317 total yards in the opener set a school record for most yards by a quarterback in a debut. Running back Montee Ball added 130 yards – 63 rushing and 67 receiving – and scored four touchdowns. Wisconsin’s defense held UNLV to 17 points, the fourth time in the last 10 games the Badgers have held an opponent to less than 20. In head coach Bret Bielema’s six years at Wisconsin, he is 32-2 when holding opponents to less than 20 points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin has won 21 straight non-conference home games, including nine straight against non-conference BCS schools.

2. Wisconsin is 44-4 at home under Bielema, which is third-best in the nation behind No. 5 Boise State and top-ranked Oklahoma.

3. Oregon State hasn’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1997-98.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 38, Oregon State 17 – The Beavers were sloppy in the opener, and Camp Randall Stadium isn’t the best place to work out the kinks. The Badgers should roll to an easy victory.