If you're expecting to see the same team you saw at Camp Randall in week 2 last week tomorrow, you my friend are in for a surprise. Wait? What? They haven't played a single game this season, how do you know that?
It's simple math. Last season the Beavers had 24 players who've never experienced college football playing huge minutes, including 10 freshman. If they come out on Saturday looking exactly like they did in week 2 of the 2011 season then Mike Riley deserves to be fired on the spot.
"I know they're going to be a better opponent," said Bielema this week. "They won three games down the stretch."
This is a team that was vastly improved by the end of their 2011 season. Especially quarterback Sean Mannion, who could well be a dangerous weapon instead of a liability in the 2012 game against the Badgers.
Besides all of that, this is a massive game for the Beavers, who haven't hosted a Big Ten team in Corvallis since 1978.
Expect this still relatively young football team to be totally up for this game and ready to prove that 2011 was a year of growth. One thing is for certain, Oregon State isn't going to go away without a fight and with a year of experience under their belts, this team could well be a challenge to Wisconsin.
But, is that what The Brain Trust thinks of this game?
Here are the words of our football analyst Arman Belding:
I see another slow start for the Badgers running attack, which eventually gets itself together by the 3rd quarter. I think DOB will throw well, but have at least 1 INT. Their offense will struggle to run all game, and will turn to the air, putting up points. Badgers will get a turnover or two, which may be the difference in the game. This contest will be all about momentum, and the OSU crowd will be rowdy. If the Badgers can maintain composure and limit penalties/turnovers, they'll win the day. If not, could be trouble.
So, it's prediction time, and let's remember that last week we all had the game correct, so it's 1-0 for Andy, Arman, Cole, and Nate when it comes to the season standings, so everyone has one point. However, yours truly leads the way thanks to being closest to the actual score – even though I was incredibly off (55-13) I claim the extra point to take the lead at two points to everyone else's one!
Now, on to the week at hand, here are the staff predictions for week two against Oregon State:
Arman: Wisconsin 27, Oregon State 21
Andy: Wisconsin 27, Oregon State 24
Cole: Wisconsin 38, Oregon State 17
Nate: Wisconsin 35, Oregon State 10
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