Tennessee Tech @ Wisconsin preview

If first-year head coach Gary Andersen can keep the Wisconsin defense performing on par with its running game, then Saturday's non-conference game against visiting Tennessee Tech could be just the latest in a long line of victories for the nation's 21st-ranked team. The Badgers ran for 393 yards last week in a 45-0 rout over Massachusetts, but more importantly, their new 3-4 defense shut out the Minutemen while holding them to 3.6 yards per play. "If I could characterize it in one word, it would be solid," defensive end Ethan Hemer said. "Guys made plays, caused turnovers. It was overall a pretty solid performance."

Tennessee Tech had an impressive showing of its own by posting a 63-7 victory over Cumberland of the NAIA. The margin of victory was its largest in a season opener. Sophomore Ladarius Vanlier had back-to-back touchdowns of more than 50 yards and quarterback Darian Stone passed for two scores and ran for two more while leading the offense to 505 total yards.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. Line: Wisconsin -45

ABOUT TENNESSEE TECH (1-0, 0-0 Ohio Valley): In the five years since returning to Tennessee Tech and his hometown of Cookeville, coach Watson Brown has led the Golden Eagles to two of the last three conference titles - including the first in 36 years. Brown's team, which fell to 3-8 overall and 1-7 last year, has played nine games against FBS teams in the last six seasons - losing all by a combined score of 417-58.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten): In James White and former running back Ron Dayne, the Badgers currently have the FBS active leader and all-time leader in career yards. White racked up 143 last week to bring his career total to 2,714 yards. Dayne, who will be recognized at halftime on Saturday for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, finished with 6,397 yards from 1996-1999.

EXTRA POINTS

1. A 93-yard punt return for a touchdown last week by Vanlier was the longest in program history.

2. Watson Brown is the older brother of Texas coach Mack Brown, and the two have a combined 354 wins - nine shy of the Division I record held by brothers Vince and Bill Dooley.

3. After recording nine tackles last week, Wisconsin senior LB Chris Borland now has 317 in his career, which puts him 135 shy of the school's all-time record. He also needs one forced fumble to tie four others - including Arizona's State Terrell Suggs - for the most in FBS history.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 57, Tennessee Tech 7