Wisconsin Badgers vs. BYU Cougars: Preview, predictions and prognostications

Da-news-now

RSS Reporter
Reporter
Member
Messages
5,395
Reaction score
311
We’re here — the final game of non-conference play is upon us quickly. That means a visit to Camp Randall by the BYU Cougars.

The Badgers are looking to make it 42 straight non-conference wins at home. If UW were to win, it would put them one game behind Kansas State for No. 4 on the all-time list and continue the longest active streak in the country.

But, this is a very difference challenge than the other two teams that came to Camp Randall. BYU isn’t afraid of a challenge, owning a win over Arizona in Week 1 and narrowly losing to Cal last week.

How does this game play out? Let’s take a dive in to the game on Saturday at 2:30pm CT on ABC.

1 Burning Question: Can the Offense Start Fast?


Wisconsin’s defense may have given up an opening series touchdown to the New Mexico Lobos, but they largely shut down the visitors last week after that.

The Badgers offense? Well, it has failed to get off to a hot start in either of the first two weeks. As we pointed out earlier this week, Wisconsin has put up just 10 points in the first quarter this year.

It would be nice to see this team dominate a game from start to finish, and what better way to do that than against the best opponent it has faced so far this season?

2 Key Stats


2: That is the number of touchdowns and interceptions thrown by BYU quarterback Tanner Magnum. Last season the Badgers saw a injury-riddled QB situation in Provo, this season they face an experienced Magnum, but he is a struggling player through the first two weeks. Cal’s defense, under former Wisconsin DC Justin Wilcox, picked off the Cougars QB twice. UW has had the interception bug on defense early on, picking off three passes already this year.

12: That is the number of penalties committed by the Badgers this season. Wisconsin has been a team predicated on doing the little things right. Usually that includes not doing a lot of stupid things, like penalties. So far the Badgers are averaging six penalties a game after two weeks and that is up over just 3.4 penalties per game when the Badgers led the B1G two seasons ago. If this team doesn’t get off to quick starts, it needs to play smarter and avoid the penalties.

3 Key Players


Tanner Mangum, BYU (QB)

BYU will go as far as its quarterback goes. It’s been the theme of this program for the vast majority of my lifetime and that isn’t changing in 2018. It also was highlighted by the fact that when Mangum played well (Arizona) his team won, when he played bad (Cal) his team lost. Wisconsin will be the best defense BYU has faced and Mangum has been interception prone for his injury-riddled career. He’s thrown 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions over the last nine games in his career. The Badgers defense is showing to be adept at picking the ball off in 2018, so how Mangum plays on Saturday will likely determine what challenge the Badgers will really face.


Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin (TE)

Yes, the depth chart will tell you that Kyle Penniston and Zander Neuville are the starters, but how many catches do the duo have this season? That would be a grand total of one and that came from Neuville last week for a grand total of three yards as well. The man leading the way as a receiver at tight end has been Ferguson, who has five receptions for 47 yards so far in 2018. He’s been a big help on third down situations and is becoming a bigger part of this offense. He may be needed to extend drives against a stingy BYU defense.

Caesar Williams, Wisconsin (CB)

Yes, both New Mexico and Western Kentucky found ways to test the Badgers secondary, but of the three opponents faced in non-conference play, BYU brings the best level of talent at wide receiver this group will face. That means the young secondary must be up to the challenge, something that Williams has been more than capable of. If the Badgers want to make Magnum pay, Williams must continue to show he is a shut-down type of cornerback.

Prediction


Wisconsin 31, BYU 10

I know, it’s not the crazy high point total some are hoping to see this Badgers team put up, but you have to respect the BYU defense that has played well against both Arizona and Cal — two offenses meant to score a ton of points.

Wisconsin will put up the most points given up by BYU so far this year and the defense will continue to show why it needs to be respected nationally once again. We’ll also go with Scott Nelson with an interception again this week.

Continue reading...
 
Back
Top