Badgers Week 2 Preview: Akron Won't Be Easy
People probably looked at the Badgers' schedule, saw LSU, Akron, Georgia State, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and thought the Akron and Georgia State games will be easy. They are "cupcake" games, ones that teams schedule in order to basically have a scrimmage that "matters" instead of playing multiple LSU's. But, this is an Akron team that is on the rise, and has a solid chance of winning the Mid-American Conference. Akron went 8-5 last season, and won its' first bowl game in program history. And apparently, a lot is returning for this team.
Last week, Akron beat Virginia Military Institute (VMI) 47-24, a team that a program like Wisconsin should beat 50-7. While Wisconsin had a huge win last weekend over LSU that everybody knows about, which caused the Badgers to jump to #10 in the AP poll, it may be a classic trap game if they are not careful. Akron is coached by Terry Bowden, yes, he is the son of the legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, and so far he is the best coach the Akron program has had.
Akron was a lot like the Badgers' last season with how they played, as Akron was more of a "let your defense keep you in games" type of team like the Badgers. Akron's defense was third overall in rush defense and 15th overall in total yards, but there were a large amount of graduates last season. They are led by DE's Jamal Marcus and Ohio State transfer Se'Von Pittman, a duo likely best in the MAC, and experienced middle linebacker John Racha. The interior linemen are new starters, but they have potential. CB DeAndre Scott is also one to watch for, as he had six interceptions last season. Overall, Corey Clement should be more than capable of running the ball through the middle of this defense, and with the amount the Badgers run, pass rushing almost takes itself out of the game.
The primary concern for Akron offensively is the line, which lost all five starters (and wasn't spectacular last season anyways). The line held together enough to defeat an FCS opponent in VMI, but Wisconsin might have the best front seven outside of Alabama in the country. That front seven of Wisconsin controlled RB Leonard Fournette of LSU, and it can control another Ohio State transfer in RB Warren Ball. However, Akron is clearly about the pass this season, as junior QB Thomas Woodson Jr. threw for 407 yards and 6 touchdowns last week, and WR's Jerome Lane and JoJo Natson both had big games as well. Now, I don't know anything about VMI, but I'm assuming the Badgers' have a better secondary and pass rush, so expect Woodson's numbers to reduce a lot (at worst, cut his numbers in half).
Overall, I think this will be a fun game in the first quarter, and then the Badgers will take the game over and win with a final score of: Wisconsin 38, Akron 17
