The Wisconsin football team is set for their third non-conference game and final tune up before the Big Ten season begins.
San Diego State (0-1) may not be the toughest of opponents, but Wisconsin (2-0) cannot take the Aztecs for granted. The temptation to look toward the big Michigan game next weekend must be avoided, or the Badgers could take a devastating fall.
In their first game, San Diego State led in nearly every category except the final score. They amassed 384 total yards, including 275 through the air, but poor special teams plays doomed them to a 34-27 loss. The gritty Aztecs came back from a 27-3 deficit, but a costly turnover in the fourth quarter let the University of Texas-El Paso take the game.
Nonetheless, that game took place more than two weeks ago, and the Aztecs have had 16 days to prepare for Wisconsin. San Diego State will be well rested for the matchup, but UW head coach Bret Bielema remains unfazed.
""There's two ways to look at it,"" Bielema said in his Monday press conference. ""Sometimes coaches, you know, are always worried about their performance after an off week, and then others get excited. It's probably going to be decided upon on Sunday how well they handled the situation.""
The top priority for Wisconsin will be containing San Diego State quarterback Darren Mougey. The Badgers have had a terrible time with mobile quarterbacks the past few seasons, and Mougey certainly fits the mold. He carried the ball 13 times (two for touchdowns) against UTEP and might increase that number if he has success.
""Mougey, 6'6', 230 [pounds], looks all that on film, a good athlete,"" Bielema said. ""And when he came in the ballgame, they continued to throw the football, but they also converted more to a quarterback running game. He had a couple nice runs to cap off drives for them.""
The Badgers also have to contend with Mougey's air game, as he was 12 of 16 for 178 yards in the UTEP game. Seven different receivers caught passes, so Wisconsin cannot take just one out of the equation. Lynel Hamilton takes the majority of the snaps at running back and is not overpowering, but if Mougey gets his ground game going, Hamilton could break off some long runs.
Defensively, the Aztecs are tougher than they appear. They did give up 34 points in their first game, but UTEP's starting field position was around their own 40, making the job of the defense much more difficult.
The defense did have four interceptions, so UW quarterback John Stocco must be careful with the ball or the Aztecs will capitalize.
As for the Badgers, they have to bounce back from a rough ending to last weekend's 34-10 win over Western Illinois. San Diego State may show some rust from 16 days off, so if Wisconsin can start off well, their job will be much easier.
The game will commence with a flyover by two Navy F/A- 18 Hornets.
