Fansided

Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 1: OSU, Michigan roll; Wisconsin stuns LSU

By David Rouben

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate defeating the LSU Tigers by doing the Lambeau Leap following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate defeating the LSU Tigers by doing the Lambeau Leap following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety D
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety D /

There’s no question that Wisconsin had the best win of the week for the Big Ten. While Lambeau Field essentially took the neutral out of neutral location, the Badgers were still heavy underdogs and had a lot of pressure with College GameDay traveling there.

But they boast one of the best front sevens in the conference, and they won because of defense. LSU was held to just 257 yards of total offense, and committed three turnovers, none bigger than D’Cota Dixon’s game-winning pick. Leonard Fournette’s stat line of 138 yards is deceiving because he never really took over the game. Rafael Gaglianone was also crucial in seeing this out, as he made three field goals, including the eventually game-winner from 47 yards.

As ESPN points out, it’s the first time Wisconsin has beaten a top-five team while unranked since 1985:

However, they finished with a 5-6 record that year.

Wisconsin essentially outplayed LSU in every facet of the game. When the Tigers faltered towards the end of last year, there were calls for Les Miles to get fired, although he eventually saved his job by winning the Texas Bowl. But this loss might put the Mad Hatter right back on the hot seat.

While this was an outstanding win for Wisconsin, it wasn’t a flawless one. Brandon Harris was awful, but Bart Houston matched his two interception performance. Bomani Jones held nothing back in his assessment:

A win like this is a challenge to the rest of the Big Ten West, although Wisconsin’s schedule won’t get any easier from here on out. They still have to play Michigan State, Michigan, and Iowa on the road as well as play host to Ohio State. They could end up going 8-4 despite this win, which won’t be enough to get to the Championship Game. But if they do get there, this Wisconsin team will be one of the greatest stories of the college football season.

Next: No. 2

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