LSU Tigers Schedule: Wisconsin Badgers No Easy Task
By Joe Wedra
The LSU Tigers schedule is filled with tough games, as to be expected. They’ll start Week One with a possible loss facing the Wisconsin Badgers to begin their quest for a playoff game.
The Zach Mettenberger era is over (drafted by the Tennessee Titans in May), leaving the team with a quarterback by committee plan. Both Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings are expected to get reps as the Tigers enter the season.
Saturday’s game against Wisconsin will not be an easy one, and it could bring LSU a loss to begin the year. Here’s a quick look at the biggest threats for Wisconsin:
Melvin Gordon, Running Back
Gordon has proven to be potentially college football’s best rusher. If he can stay healthy, he’ll be primed for a potentially record-breaking season in 2014. Here’s what our Sayre Bedinger had to say about the back a few weeks ago:
"As a prospect, Gordon is a big, long-striding back with the ability to break away from the pack. He finished last season with 12 touchdowns, but he should eclipse 20 in his junior season now receiving the lion’s share of the carries. He combines size with breakaway speed and short area burst, as well as acceleration throughout the levels of the defense that lead me to believe he could break the recent trend of no running backs being taken in the first round."
Sam Arneson, Tight End
Arneson doesn’t have much experience catching the ball live, but he’s primed to be a leader on the offense. His blocking skills are extremely strong, and he can be viewed as a potential breakout candidate for the Badgers this year.
Tanner McEvoy, Quarterback
The Junior McEvoy will get his first start at QB on Saturday. He beat out Joel Stave for the starting job, a surprise to some.
McEvoy will bring energy and athleticism to the offense, and he should be able to manage the game enough to provide a balanced attack, leaning on Melvin Gordon as much as possible.
Defensively, you’ll see a lot of new faces for the Badgers. There’s been quite a turnaround, so the new-look LSU offense (who lost Mettenberger, Jarvis Landry, O’Dell Beckham Jr., and Jeremy Hill) may be able to take advantage of an inexperienced group.
Weigh in below with your prediction of this game.