I live 40 miles away from Madison and usually don't play the Badgers one way or the other. However, would have to take them this week on the feeling that freshman Jamil Walker will have a good day rushing.
Walker is similar to Michael Bennett and will be a big-time runner in a couple of years. He gained 91 yards against UNLV at home, rushing exclusively to the outside.
Alvarez planned to get him more carries up the middle last week against Arizona, but the kid froze. He reportedly is deathly afraid of flying and the trip to Tucson was his first test. He gained only a yard in five attempts. He should be much better against PSU.
Booker Stanley is only a sophomore and doesn't have near the explosiveness that Anthony Davis has. Davis has been sorely missed with an eye injury that UW officials have been suspiciously secretive about. Davis took handoffs off to the side of practice this week and tried out a helmet with a visor, but Alvarez said his return would be "left up to him (Davis)" which sounds like Davis might have to decide whether or not to risk losing the sight in the eye if he wants to return.
ESPN Gameday and Cold Pizza both are setting up outside the stadium at this time and Alvarez opened Thursday's walkthrough practice at Camp Randall to the student body. It was the first time he has done that since the trampling accident after the Badgers beat Michigan in the early 1990s.
With a 4:45 kickoff, the crowd ought to be juiced.
There is one "red flag" on this game for UW supporters. The Badgers are a horrible 5-11 SU at Camp Randall in Big Ten games in the past four seasons. Alvarez is well aware of that stat and has told his team that will have to change.
You would have to think Zach Mills will be concentrating more about holding onto the ball this week that anything else. On the UW side, Alvarez has gone out of his way to praise sophomore QB John Stocco about his care of the football. I think the passing game will begin to shine with WR Jonathon Orr and TE Owen Daniels.
New defensive coordinator Bret Bielema, who came over from Kansas State (remember the job the Wildcats did against then undefeated Oklahoma last year) has made a big difference for the Badgers.
I just think Wisconsin will have a good day offensively and be able to cover the 3.5 points.
Good luck to everyone who plays this game.