San Jose State @ Wisconsin preview
Camp Randall Stadium
As impressive as 11th-ranked Wisconsin was in its 41-21 season-opening win at UNLV, there’s at least one area of concern.
If the Badgers are going to challenge for the Big Ten title and a spot in a BCS bowl, they’re going to have to take better care of the ball.
Wisconsin (1-0), which hosts another long-shot underdog in San Jose State this Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, dominated UNLV in virtually every phase last week, but two first-half turnovers made the game closer than it should have been.
Quarterback Scott Tolzien (15-of-20, 197 yards) was sharp for the most part, but a first-quarter interception was returned for a UNLV touchdown, and an 86-yard return of a Nick Toon fumble at the 2-yard line set up another.
Though manhandled on both lines, UNLV trailed only 17-14 at halftime.
The Badgers won’t be able to get away with such mistakes when the competition ratchets up later in the season.
Fortunately for Wisconsin, that won’t happen this week in its home opener against San Jose State, picked to finish last in the WAC after a 2-10 season in 2009.
The Spartans (0-1) were hammered 48-3 by No. 1 Alabama last week in coach Mark MacIntyre’s debut. San Jose was outgained 591 to 175 by the Crimson Tide, with nearly half of the Spartans’ yards coming on two plays – a 32-yard run by Brandon Rutley and a 49-yard reception by Noel Grigsby.
Expect the Wisconsin rushing attack to have another stellar day against a San Jose State defense that allowed 259 yards per game last season. The Spartans’ offense only managed 76 rushing yards per game.
The Badgers gained 278 yards on the ground last week. John Clay, still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, led the way with 123, his seventh straight game to break 100. Montee Ball added 79 and speedy true freshman James White turned some heads with 59. White’s first collegiate run was an 18-yarder.
The Wisconsin defense, which also had a returned fumble for a TD, limited UNLV to 217 yards, but most of those yards came late in the game.
Wisconsin should be healthy for San Joes State. Toon aggravated a toe injury and linebacker Chris Borland sprained his left shoulder, but both should be able to play this weekend.
This will be the second time Wisconsin and San Jose State have faced each other. The Badgers beat the Spartans 56-10 in 1997, as Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns.