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As the title hints at it is infact time for a preview.  A bit early for a preview you ask yourself?  Nonsense..it's never too early for a preview.  So, I bet someone's asking what exactly am I previewing...well if you'd look up just a tiny bit you'll see I'm previewing the Wisconsin at Fresno State football game. So, I really don't consider myself much of an expert on Fresno State, however I do watch quite a bit of Wisconsin Badger football.  So, I'll mainly be looking at this game from a Badger perspective.  Let's take a look at this game shall we....

A lot of people have mainly looked at this game from Fresno State's perspective..saying this is there other big chance to knock off a BCS school.  That's all true..this is Fresno State's other big time chance.  They got us in there place, which is huge for them.  And Fresno State's coach, Pat Hill, has already essentially said this is one of the if not the biggest game in school history.  Don't get me wrong that's cool to say..and it is a big game for the Bulldogs, but let's look at this from a Badger perspective shall we.  Wisconsin is a relatively disrespected program and we too have a chance to make a major statement in the landscape of college football.  We always tend to be an overlooked program when it comes to college football discussion..and as I previously said this is just as much our big game as it is Fresno State's.  

Offensively it's looking more and more like we're getting Travis Beckum back.  One of the big keys for our offense to be succesful is Allan Evridge has to make the throws..and getting Travis Beckum is going to make that job so much easier.  On top of gaving Garrett Graham as a fantastic target down the field as well.  A big key is going to be getting receivers involved on the perimeter..whether it be Kyle Jefferson or David Gilreath or I suppose Maurice Moore.  Unfortunately for Lance Kendricks the likelihood of Travis Beckum coming back that means less playing time for him.  Kendricks performed well in place of Beckum...as Kendricks is essentially the same size as Beckum.  Anyway for us to have any success Paul Chryst, our offensive coordinator, needs to have a balanced offense and needs to use all of our backs effectively. 

Defensively we're by far a lot better than last year.  It really seems like moving Jaevery McFadden to the middle was a big boost.. We're pretty fast in the linebacking core.  Our secondary tends to get burned a bit but towards the end of the Marshall game things started to improve..granted against Marshall but still pretty good.  Upfront on the d-line has looked pretty good as well..all in all I've been pretty impressed with our defense. Also it seems like we might be getting Jonathan Casillas back for this game..and if we're able to move Blake Sorensen to come off the bench that will help us out a lot.  

I honestly don't think that Fresno State's first game was a real difficult test..the toughest part of that game was heading out to New Jersey..it's not the same Rutgers team as it would have been a year ago..they didn't even have to stop Ray Rice.  I'm in no way saying Wisconsin's schedule up to this point has been any better..but honestly I don't see how playing Rutgers this year is any real challenge..the Big East is brutal this year and Rutgers is down.  So, I think things heading into this one are pretty even.  I'm interested to see if Fresno State is going to be able to handle our three headed monster at running back.  I'm also interested to see if Travis Beckum does play how effective will he be..and how will Fresno State handle him being in the lineup..TB really opens things up in our offense.  On the Fresno State side of things..how will we be able to defend their talented tight end.  Our linebackers are pretty capable in coverage just because of there speed, but that kind of matchup still worries me.  I'm thinking it's going to be a close game..definitely less than a touchdown

What are your thoughts about the game?