The 2013 WAY too early Badgers Schedule Breakdown: Tennessee Tech

It's safe to say 2013 isn't going to start off with a bang in terms of quality competition for the Badgers football team and that's being nice. Yesterday we gave you our look at Wisconsin's 1st opponent of the 2013 football season, the UMass Minutemen. So, it's on to bigger and better opponents, right? Well, not so fast my friends.

Today, well, things don't get much more difficult as we take a look into the 2nd opponet on the schedule as the UW hosts FCS powerhouse… err…. also ran, Tennessee Tech. This game will take place on Sept. 7th at Camp Randall. 

For sure the Badgers are a bit familiar with the conference the Golden Eagles come from – the OVC – having played Austin Peay in the 2010 season, but it's been a few years since then and a new era. Can the Badgers beat down an inferior opponent (on paper at least)? Or will the Golden Eagles pull off what would be a major upset? 

Let's dive into week 2 opponent – Tennessee Tech, shall we?

Tennessee Tech Info:

2012 Record: 3-8, 1-7 OVC
Head Coach: Watson Brown, since 2006
2012 Ranking: No. 232 (sports-ratings.com)
2012 Team Stats:

2012 Crazy Stat: 8 sacks – no that's not some sort of record for a single game for this team, that's their total for the entire season and only one of them came in non-OVC play. Ya, it's safe to say this team wasn't very good on defense and I have a feeling that's being nice.

What Does 2012 Tell Us about Tennessee Tech: TTU wasn't exactly lighting it up on the defensive side of the ball against FCS competition, let alone against the likes of FBS teams. They were completely crushed by Oregon, 63-14, and it could've been worse had Chip Kelly not called off the dogs – so to speak. Sure, this team put up some good points on the offensive side of the football, but again it was against FCS competiton. 

Their wins in 2012? vs. Hampton, vs. North Greensboro (D2), and against rival Tennessee-Martin. Not exactly like it's going to scare the daylights out of a three time defending Big Ten champion if you ask me, nor should it. These guys aren't Appiliachian State or North Dakota State. 

Series History: This is the 1st ever meeting between the two schools.

Key Losses: Michael Baker, C; Slade Adams, RG; Marcus Edwards, Ram LB (3 sacks); Will Johnson, Rover; Howard Griffin Bull LB (76 tackles – 4th on the team)

Key Returning Players: Darian Stone, QB (786yds passing, 10TD's/5INT's, 553yds rushing – leading rusher) ;Da'Rick Rogers, WR (61rec, 893yds, 10TD's, 2nd team all-OVC); Chad Zinchini, P (44.8avg, 1st team all-OVC); Ladarius Vanlier, WR/Returner (21rec, 192yds, 20.9yds a return, 1 return TD, 2nd team all-OVC returner)

WAY too EARLY Prediction: Wisconsin 48, Tennessee Tech 17 – Wisconsin moves to 2-0 on the season in easy fashion as they go up 35-0 by the half and pull the starters to find some other key parts in coach Andersen's 2nd game at the helm. Both Bart Houston and Joel Stave see meaningful minutes and we begin to see the emergence of Melvin Gordon as the star running back we all think he can be. This one is over at the half.

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