Tennesse Tech-Wisconsin Preview Capsule
Tennessee Tech at No. 21 Wisconsin, 11 a.m. (Big Ten Network)
Line: No line.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
What amounts to an exhibition schedule for Wisconsin continues with a visit from FCS school Tennessee Tech. Another week for the Badgers to work on the passing game and perfect the new 3-4 defensive scheme before the competition gets ratcheted up in Week 3 with a visit to Arizona State. Speaking of stiffer competition, the Golden Eagles will do their best to keep things respectable. They did gain 505 yards against NAIA school Cumberland last week.
KEY MATCHUP
Returner Ladarius Vanlier vs. Wisconsin special teams. Vanlier represents one of the best options Tennessee Tech might have to break though against the Badgers. The 5-foot-7 sophomore built on his impressive 2012 campaign in the return game with a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 44-yard kickoff return last week against Cumberland.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tennessee Tech: QB Darian Stone. A dual-threat signal-caller who threw for two touchdowns last week and ran for two more. He’s no Braxton Miller, but Wisconsin will at least get a look at defending an athletic quarterback.
Wisconsin: Run, James White, run! The senior back averaged 13 yards per carry last week against Massachusetts, the best mark in the FBS in Week 1. The active major college leader in rushing with 2,714 career yards figures to pad those impressive stats.
FACTS & FIGURES
Tennessee Tech is coached by Watson Brown, the older brother of Texas coach Mack Brown. They have combined for 354 career victories, 123 for the elder Brown … With 13 career forced fumbles, Wisconsin LB Chris Borland is one shy of tying the major college record shared by five players … Badgers RB Corey Clement ran for 101 yards last week, becoming the first true freshman at Wisconsin to eclipse the 100-yard mark in a season opener since the NCAA began allowing freshman participation in 1972 … The Golden Eagles are 0-24 against FBS opponents. They lost at Oregon last year 63-14.
