Westwood One’s coverage of college football continues with from Houston as the LSU Tigers take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Coverage begins at 8:30 PM Eastern on Westwood One and streaming right here at WestwoodOneSports.com.
For a preview of the game, we turn to our analyst Derek Rackley.
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Wisconsin Scouting Report:
The Badgers enter this matchup with an impressive 43-3 record in regular season non-conference games dating back to 2002. However, they face an LSU team that boasts an FBS record of 45 consecutive regular season non-conference victories. So simple logic tells me something has to give in this game. Wisconsin is led by star running back Melvin Gordon, who is a legitimate Heisman trophy candidate after turning down the NFL following his redshirt sophomore campaign to return for another season in Madison. He’s a long and lean, silky smooth back with excellent top-end speed who is nearly unstoppable when he gets in the open field. The biggest challenge for Wisconsin will be replacing eight starters on defense including their ENTIRE front seven. But I was quite impressed how first-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda turned the Wisconsin defense into the 7th best total defense in the FBS last year. He faces a much stiffer test in 2014, working with a number of new starters and facing an SEC powerhouse in LSU Saturday night.
LSU Scouting Report:
How Les Miles (and many other top dogs in the SEC) continues to lose so many talented players to the NFL and STILL rip off nine and ten win seasons just amazes me! 2014 will be no different as Miles has to replace the first EVER combination in SEC history of two 1,000-yard receivers (Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry), a 1,000-yard rusher (Jeremy Hill) and a 3,000-yard passer (Zach Mettenberger). The biggest buzz surrounding the LSU program is Mettenberger’s replacement. Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris have battled ever since the open of spring practice months ago. Both have displayed an ability to make plays and manage the offense, which is why both are expected to play Saturday night against the Badgers. Jennings played last season as a true freshman in relief of Mettenberger and has the edge in terms of college experience. But Harris is the highly touted true freshman who enrolled early and showed he’s ready for big-time college football. Speaking of true freshman, keep an eye on Leonard Fournette. He definitely doesn’t lack confidence, saying his goals this season are All-SEC, All-American and Heisman Trophy winner!
The Badgers Win If…
They continue to use their bruising offensive line, which returns four starters, to control the line of scrimmage and allow Gordon and Corey Clement to gash the LSU defense in the running game. If Wisconsin is forced to throw the football more than they would like, they’re not going to be strong enough in the passing game with a fairly inexperienced receiving core.
The Tigers Win If…
Their quarterbacks play like they’re ready for big-time college football on a HUGE stage to start the season. This isn’t the type of game where they have the luxury of making a few mistakes early in the game against an inferior opponent. A turnover or two along with a couple of quick three-and-outs could be damaging and LSU could find themselves behind early in the game. Like Wisconsin, LSU has very little by way of EXPERIENCED talent in the passing game. I expect to see a whole lot of running the football by both teams.
Looking Elsewhere:
I’ll have my eye on reigning Heisman winner Jameis Winston and the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles as they take on Oklahoma St. just an hour before our kickoff. The unquestioned #1 team in college football begin their defense up the road from us in Arlington, Texas against a Cowboy team that can surely put points on the board.
– Derek Rackley
You can also see Derek as a contributor to 120Sports. Check him out on 120Sports.com. Jason Benetti and Derek will have the call from Houston beginning at 8:30 PM ET tonight. You can listen right here on WestwoodOneSports.com!
