The Badgers cruised in week 1 against Illinois State, giving up 0 points while scoring 38.
The competition ramps up this week, although we don't know by how much. The Cougars struggled to beat Idaho 21-17. I've always thought that if those two schools were in the same state they should merge.
Anyway...
The Cougars are still an air-raid team so the UW secondary will be tested, and that unit will be without starting safety Hunter Wohler, who has a broken ankle. Overall, the defense is replacing 8 starters, which is of concern, but that unit is led by Jim Leonhard, which is of no concern.
Mertz was efficient with his game against ISU. 14-16 passing, with a TD and no picks. That's a good sign, but again, it's ISU. Braelon Allen is a beast of a TB. 96 yard TD set a school record that had been held by James White.
So, who wins?
Wisconsin, comfortably. I don't think they can pitch another shutout here, but it would not surprise me one bit if they did. Mertz should hit the 200 mark, and Allen should hit 150.
Badgers 38
Cougars 10