College Football Preview: Oregon State (0-1) vs. #8 Wisconsin (1-0)

Oregon State (0-1) vs. #8 Wisconsin (1-0)

Wisconsin Overview

OSU has a tough game on the road this week taking on Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin. Wisconsin easily took care of UNLV in their first game of the season winning 51-17. UNLV ran the Pistol Offense which Wisconsin was not prepared to defend. The Badgers gave up 292 yards on defense but made stops when it counted early in the game. The Badgers offense outmatched the Running Rebels defense behind the quarterback play of North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson.

Notes to Wisconsin’s game versus UNLV

Russell Wilson led scoring drives on each of the eight series he played; seven touchdowns one field goal. Wilson ended the game 10-13, 255 yards passing, with two touchdowns and two rushing attempts for 62 yards and one touchdown.

Wisconsin’s running game looked sharp rushing for 241 net yards. James White had 64 yards rushing on 11 attempts with a score and Montee Ball had 62 yards rushing on 10 attempts with three touchdowns.

The Badgers defense did not create a turnover against UNLV but they also did not open up their defense against UNLV either.

Oregon State Overview

Oregon State did not start off the season the way Mike Riley had hoped. The Beavers found themselves down 21-6 at the end of the third quarter before storming back to tie the game 21-21 at the end of regulation. OSU scored first in overtime on true freshman running back Malcom Agnew’s 18-yard touchdown run. Sacramento State scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime and converted their two-point conversion for the win. The final score was 29-28.

The good news for OSU is they appear to have found a replacement for Jacquizz Rodgers with Malcom Agnew on offense. The bad news is OSU’s pass defense is in trouble. Sacramento State threw for 296 yards against OSU’s defense that only returns three starters. Sacramento State is not on the elite level of Stanford, USC, Oregon, or this week’s opponent, Wisconsin. Any team looking to run the score up on OSU will have their opportunities until OSU can find a consistent pass rush and limit coverage mistakes.

Notes to Oregon State’s game versus Sacramento State

Malcom Agnew ran 33 times for 223 yards with three scores. Riley may have ran him too much too soon, in the similar way that Steve Spurrier ran Marcus Lattimore last season, as Agnew is out versus Wisconsin.

OSU needs wide receiver James Rogers healthy to open up the offense for Agnew for the rest of the season.

Markus Wheaton had six catches for 108 yards for the Beavers.

Ryan Katz was benched after compiling an 11 for 22, 87 yards passing, with an interception stat line. Katz has been named the starter versus Wisconsin. How many series he plays before backup quarterback Sean Mannion steps in will depend on the play of Katz and Mike Riley.

OSU defense did recover two fumbles against the Hornets.

Keys to the Oregon State vs. Wisconsin Game

Wisconsin head coach Bert Bielema and OSU head coach Mike Riley are buddies. Both run a similar style offense thus they know each other’s offense well. The game will come down to execution, motivation, and talent. This favors Wisconsin, especially with Agnew out for OSU.

OSU has something to prove against Wisconsin after last week’s stumble through the first three quarters of play against the Hornets. Look for OSU to play tougher against the Badgers from the start of the game. How that translates on the scoreboard is another story.

OSU has a bye next week before starting conference play against UCLA thus they have everything to play for with nothing to lose. Wisconsin plays Northern Illinois in Chicago, a recruiting trip for the Badgers that the Fighting Illini must hate. Wisconsin will not be caught in a trap game or looking past the Beavers.

OSU’s defensive front is undersized. Wisconsin should be able to run at will against OSU’s defensive front, especially later in the game if they make a commitment to run the ball early. OSU has good linebackers which should help limit some of Wisconsin’s possible breakaway runs.

Notes to the Game

Wisconsin:

Starting left guard Travis Fredrick is out after spraining his knee against UNLV.

Starting kicker Phillip Welch is a game time decision to play against OSU.

Backup quarterback is out indefinitely after having surgery on his elbow.

Oregon State:

Will the 9:00 a.m. PST start time have a sluggish effect on the Beavers’ team?

Senior defensive tackle Kevin Frahm (6’2”, 275 lbs) is expected to play against Wisconsin after missing last week’s game.

Malcom Agnew is out against Wisconsin; hamstring injury.

Outcome

Don’t look for the score to be run up purposely. The head coaches are friends and Bert Bielema will not look to embarrass his friend on a national stage. Still Bielema will want to see his new quarterback and team in action against a better opponent than UNLV. Wilson may see action well into the third quarter. Ball and White should have great games for the Badgers.

OSU found their stride late last week but against a weaker opponent. Was the slow start a sign of a lack of preparation, motivation, experience, or combination of everything? Riley will have to use this game to get his team in line for the rest of the season. Watch for different lineups and several opportunities for inexperienced OSU players to prove themselves before conference play begins against UCLA.

Wisconsin should have a repeat performance of last week’s game against UNLV except they will be prepared for OSU’s offense. Wisconsin should have this game in hand before the first quarter is over.

Final Score

Wisconsin 48 – Oregon State 13

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