1. Home Run Threat
There is no denying his talent, and sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath is beginning to emerge as perhaps the Badgers' most productive weapon in almost all facets of the game.
The sophomore stud is averaging 142 all-purpose yards per game this season and with five total trips to the end zone so far, his touchdown numbers have begun to rise as well.
Although he has yet to reach the end zone as a kick and punt returner, Gilreath has become especially dangerous as a runner and receiver in recent weeks. In the last four games he has produced 385 yards and four touchdowns on offense.
As a team from the FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA), it may be fair to say that Cal Poly has not faced a team with a player as explosive as Gilreath.
It will be interesting to see whether or not the Mustangs can shut down the Badgers' most electrifying player.
2. Brains and Brass?
Does the number 418 mean anything to you? That's the amount of points that Cal Poly has put up this year.
While it may only be the FCS, averaging 46.6 points per game is impressive. Just about as impressive as Cal Poly's average student GPA of 3.71.
Senior Quarterback Jonathan Dally has played incredibly well this season, posting a 20 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio while amassing 1,680 yards through the air.
Even more remarkable is the fact that senior wide receiver Ramses Barden has caught 15 of those 20 touchdown passes. While he may be no King, Ramses is averaging 20 yards per catch this year and is widely considered a potential 3rd or 4th round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema even mentioned that, while talking with scouts, it was said that Barden might be drafted as high as the first round. At 6'6\, Barden is a big test in more ways than one.
3. It Happened Before
No one has forgotten about the Appalachian State Mountaineers' incredible upset over Michigan inside the Big House last year, and it is surely possible for the Cal Poly Mustangs to be the next FCS team to take down a Big Ten foe.
In fact, Ramses Barden said it himself, ""This is our Appalachian State-Michigan."" So how can the Badgers reduce the chances of an upset?
First, they must come out strong. The Mustangs have won every game in which they have scored first and lost the only game in which they didn't score first.
Junior quarterback Dustin Sherer has done a good job of being a Wisconsin quarterback by managing games, and should make sure to get the offense out of the gates effectively.
Wisconsin's running back situation is quite unique and by continuously playing hard-nosed football and rushing up the gut, the team will look to tire the defense early and will benefit in the long run.
4. Have Some Fun Out There
There is no hiding from reality. This season was a massive disappointment, and an appearance in the Motor City Bowl won't exactly wash away five losses.
Still, with little time left, the Badgers should just go out and have fun against Cal Poly. At home, in front of 80,000 Badger fans, in a game that doesn't mean too much, why not take some chances?
Why not try, for example, the Wildcat offense, a craze that has forced every team in the NFL to re-evaluate their defensive playbook. David Gilreath certainly has shown the speed factor through end arounds and reverses, so let him take a few snaps in the shotgun. Give the ball to Chris Pressley for once. Just be creative and take a chance.
The Badger coaches certainly understand that, for many of the players on this team, this is their last game of organized football, so it'd be a good thing to end their football career the same way they all started it, by having fun.
5. Senior Day
Making a varsity athletic team in high school isn't too difficult. Many of us have done it. Making a varsity football team for a regularly ranked FBS football school is difficult, scratch that, it is nearly impossible.
Sixteen seniors will play their last game in Camp Randall this weekend and it's time that we, as good Badger fans, join them in celebrating their tireless commitment and effort toward impressing us every Saturday.
It is not easy to wake up early in the morning for workouts and it certainly isn't easy to stay up late at night for practices. These seniors have worked extremely hard the past four or five years to get to where they are, and while this season is not the best way to end their Badger career, this game is a great way to make their mark inside of Camp Randall and in front of the home fans.
The seniors will be fired up and should lead the Badgers to victory.
