1. New faces on the Camp Randall sideline
Not only will the excitement be very high for the fans, but the players and coaches want to go out there and prove that they are a team to be reckoned with. Communication in football is essential, and it will be interesting to see how the players and coaches handle the noise when the crowd gets goingA-—especially playing in their first home game with a new coaching staff.
2. Western Illinois. Big Ten. It's been a while.
Western Illinois will be playing its first Big Ten opponent since it was defeated by UW 31-13 back in the fall of 1991. It will be intriguing to see how the Leathernecks handle playing in a ""hostile"" environment. Coming from Hanson Field, a stadium that seats 15,168, and entering into a behemoth of a football complex that seats a capacity crowd of 80,321, it will be interesting to see how the Leathernecks will handle not only the loudness of the crowd, but also the pressure, excitement and intensity that make Camp Randall what it is.
3. Overlooking the Leatherneck offense would be a mistake
Although there may not be any head liners on the WIU offense, UW will still have to play very well on the defensive side of the ball. In their first game against Morehead State the Leathernecks, much like the Badgers, pounded the opposing defense to a tune of 197 yards by using multiple running backs. It will be important for the Badger defensive line and secondary to be playing at a high level as Western Illinois will most likely be rotating fresh legs into the game on a regular basis, and utilizing its fast receivers in the passing game.
4. Unknown UW offense could also pose issues for WIU
With injuries to full back Chris Pressley and wide receiver Marcus Randle El, the Badgers offense was relatively unknown outside of quarterback John Stocco. However, in last week's game at Bowling Green we were introduced to many new players hoping to make an impact. Possibly the most well known of these new players is running back P.J. Hill, who ran for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. It would be fair to expect another big game from P.J. Hill as the Badger offensive line will try to spring him for big gains against a WIU defense that gave up 193 rushing yards in their previous game against Morehead State.
5. Making sure to avoid the frightening DI-AA trap game
We have seen it already in this young college football season when Colorado lost to D1-AA Montana State: the unforeseen major college upset. It would definitely take a lot of things to go right for the Leathernecks to pull such an upset over UW, however, turnovers and sloppy play could boost confidence for WIU who has nothing to lose and will come into Camp Randall with a lot of energy and prepared to give the Badgers their best shot.
This game will test UW's focus and if the Badgers play to their capability they should be able to improve to 2-0.
