College Football Week 1 continues today and we will see the Massachusetts Minutemen travel to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The start time is 12:00 pm (Eastern) and the game will be televised on the Big 10 Network. Current Odds have Wisconsin listed as 44.5 point favorites, while the total sits at 53.5.
Analysis: Umass did not transition well to the FBS level, going just 1-11 in their first at this level. It was their worst season since 1957. This year it may not be that much better for them as they return just 11 starters overall, including 4 on offense. QB Mike Wegzyn should be the starting QB, but his numbers were not that great last year, throwing for just 1825 yards on 52.6% passing, with just 6 TD's and 10 INTs. The Minutemen's leading returning RB, Jordan Broadnax, had just 51 carries last year, while the WR corps losses 3 of their top 4 from last year. The Umass defense ranked ninth out of 13 teams in the MAC last season. The defensive front line returns two starters but losses its top tackler in linebacker Perry McIntyre (132 tackles, 3 sacks). The secondary took some big hits and are a very young group with all 4 projected starters being sophomores still, this unit should improve on the 40.2 ppg they allowed last year.
Bret Bielema was a hugely successful coach for the Badgers, but took his leave and in steps Ex- Utah State coach Garry Andersen, who took the Aggies to an 11-2 mark last year. Andersen does step into a great situation with 52 lettermen back, including 14 starters. The Wisconsin offense went through Montee Ball last year, but he is now gone. Still, RB's James white and Melvin Gordon, who combined for 1427 yards and 15 TD's last year, should be more than ready to keep this Wisconsin ground game effective. It also helps they will be running behind one of the best OL's in the league. Sophomore Joel Stave returns to QB the Badgers, after a mediocre year, in which he threw for just 1104 yards and 6 TD's. The Badger defense ranked 15th in the nation overall and allowed more than 30 points just twice. It was a very balanced defense as they ranked 23rd vs the run and 17th vs the pass and with 6 starters return to this unit they could be just as good as last years group.
Pick: I will go with the Under in this one. The Badger defense is just too tough and I see this game having a bout a 45-0 final. Wisconsin should get up big offensively and then just cruise the rest of the way, eating clock with their ground game. Look for no more than 48 points put up in this one.
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