Wisconsin Badgers begin their season at Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since 2013. For some Badgers fans, it must feel refreshing to not begin the year with a treacherous start against a high-level SEC team. The first-ever Friday night home game for the Badgers as they welcome Utah State to the State capital. Wisconsin comes in as a 27.5 point favorite to begin the year as it will be mighty difficult for the Aggies to pull off the upset.

WHEN: Friday September 1st
TIME: 8:00 pm
CHANNEL: Big Ten Network

Three things to discuss at the bar
1. Jonathan ‘Beast Mode’ Taylor’s debut along with the other RB’s – I’m excited to watch Taylor who had an excellent camp where D’Cota Dixon gave him that nickname, and he seems like a classic Wisconsin running back that’s going to wear teams down as the game goes on. I loved Bradrick Shaw in moments last year, and Chris James should be able to contribute right off the bat. My guess is for series it will go Shaw-James-Taylor for the first time through then Shaw-James and then Taylor will return to the rotation the third time through.

2. Linebacker problems to be an issue early?
I’m not banking on it for a variety of reasons against Utah State. For one, they’re debuting a few new starters on the offensive line which sounds like absolute hell versus Wisconsin. Number two, their running back, Tonny Lindsey is new but he averaged 5.1 a game last season, so, he could be a legitimate threat. Yet it starts with not having much of a line to speak against an experienced Wisconsin defense. I know people will harp on the linebackers, but this is a good spot for a team lacking there.

3. Taking away Friday Night Lights from high schoolers
Okay, I’ll bite. I’m sure you’d talk about this with friends, and here’s my answer for this, I don’t give a shit. I’m sorry but people who care about high school sports that do not have a kid involved, an alma mater, teach or coach are usually pretty creepy. Not trying to generalize, but it’s hard for me to see why anyone with no stake in the game would care about high school sports. This means most will be watching Utah State-Wisconsin.

Players to Watch
Alex Hornibrook & Chris Orr: The reason I have interest in Hornibrook tonight is he will face a very good Utah State secondary even if they have some new pieces. He will be challenged this evening. Chris Orr comes back from his ACL tear, and we’ll see how he does out there.

Prediction
I don’t think Wisconsin covers this spread with Utah State having a decent defense and known for keeping things relatively close. Badgers 38 Aggies 17

Charlie.