No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU (-5) TV: ESPN 9 pm Saturday
Daniel: This is a tough one to pick. Both teams are replacing a ton and have questions on both sides of the ball. Very little is known about any of the quarterbacks that will play as well. Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, who ran for over 1,600 yards last year, is one of the few constants in this game. But LSU has freak athletes all over the field – even if many of them are extremely inexperienced. This one very well could come down to a play or two and I’ll predict that the Mad Hatter will find a way to pull it out in crazy fashion. Winner: LSU, 28-27.
Houston: LSU is a very talented team, but they are also extremely young. They lost their quarterback and top two receivers from last year and will likely rely on the running game against Wisconsin. The Badgers know this and will gear up to stop the run. LSU true freshman running back Leonard Fournette could have a big day, but the Tigers won’t get enough production from the passing game to get by the Badgers in Dallas. Winner: Wisconsin, 27-23.
Reed: LSU returns 76% of their defensive production and will once again be one of the most talented teams in the country. Even with all their NFL defections and questions at quarterback, they’re simply a better football team than Wisconsin. The Badgers haven’t beaten an SEC team in the regular season and are coming off a Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina. Though their rushing attack with Melvin Gordon should keep is close, LSU wins and covers. Winner: LSU, 28-20.
Zach: This is a game that could end up being much closer than folks think. Wisconsin is no pushover and I could easily see them pulling an upset against LSU. The Tigers are replacing former starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger with either Anthony Jennings or Brandon Harris. I think the inexperience at the position will be the difference. If this game were in Death Valley, I’d be inclined to take LSU, but at a neutral site, I’ll go with the Badgers in an upset. Winner: Wisconsin, 23-20.
