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The Wisconsin Badgers’ 2016 football season gets underway with one of the hardest first-game opponents of anyone in the country. On September 3, Wisconsin travels to Lambeau Field for a technical neutral-site game against the fifth-ranked LSU Tigers. The Badgers, along with attempting to get off to a great start, will be looking for revenge stemming from the meeting between these clubs back in 2014.
Two years ago, Wisconsin and LSU also met for the season’s opening game. At that time, both schools were ranked inside the top 15 nationally: Wisconsin 14th and LSU 13th. The Badgers led 24-13 entering the fourth quarter before a 15-point outburst gave LSU the comeback victory.
It was a demoralizing loss both in terms of the way it went down and what it set up. A late interception led to the game-winning drive for Kenny Hilliard and LSU. At one point, Wisconsin led in yardage 290 to 136, including a lead on the ground of 182 to 16 before everything was salted away. Hilliard rushed for 99 yards in the fourth quarter alone.
The Badgers went on to lose three times that season, including losses to the top two teams they faced, LSU and Ohio State. A bowl game victory over Auburn hardly made up for the embarrassing loss to OSU, nor did it erase the heart wrenching loss to the Tigers. After an even worse 2015 where the team lost to everyone of note it played during the regular season, Wisconsin is looking to rebound beginning with this LSU rematch. To prevent a similar outcome, here are five things the Badgers must to do to vanquish one of the SEC’s best.
1) Don’t look ahead
Oh boy, the Wisconsin schedule this year is brutal. Fans and players alike may be inclined to peek ahead to the deadly conference slate that awaits the Badgers come late September. They will play four consecutive top-20 teams, including three on the road. That stretch will make or break their season, but concentrating on the LSU game is job number one.
2) Make big plays, including long runs
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 31: Corey Clement #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs in for a touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
That attack will be led by senior back Corey Clement, who will attempt to make folks forget about Melvin Gordon, even though he failed at such a task last season and missed nine weeks. Gordon was the star of the last LSU game, but Clement can have a similar impact this time around. He had seven games in 2014 where he broke a run of at least 20 yards, and three different Badgers broke 20+ yard runs against LSU.
3) Get something through the air
Last time, the passing attack was a complete non-factor. Wisconsin threw for 50 total yards on 21 attempts, including two interceptions. LSU has had a similarly one-sided offense in recent years, but the Badgers need the edge through the air in this game; a task that will fall to new starter Bart Houston.
4) Load the box to stop Leonard Fournette
The Tigers have arguably the best player in the country in Fournette. They also have a famously shaky passing game and quarterback in Brandon Harris. Forcing Harris to win the game instead of allowing Fournette to control the pace and tempo will be the easiest way for Wisconsin to win. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
5) Finish!
Whether statistically proven or not, Wisconsin has developed the reputation of folding in big games. The last LSU game did nothing to dampen that stereotype. This 9/3 game will be the school’s latest attempt at turning around that narrative, and closing out as strong as it starts will be paramount.
The post What Will Be Different This Time Against LSU appeared first on Madtown Badgers.
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