The Voice: Don’t get caught looking ahead
September 07, 2016 | Football
With pair of tricky ‘games on tap, Chryst and Co. quick to turn the page after LSU
BY MATT LEPAY
Voice of the Badgers
MADISON, Wis. — It was a blast. Those who were there will never forget it. From the Badgers' perspective, the Lambeau Field College Classic was just that. A classic. Let's face it -- you don't see many postgame presentations after a season opener. Last Saturday we did, and it was fun to witness.
Now it is over. In our radio interview following the victory against LSU, it took very little time before UW head coach Paul Chryst mentioned Akron. That is his nature, and I would be surprised if it ever changed.
That is good. In a world full of hot takes and overreaction, the Badgers' head man is the master flat-liner. Don't get me wrong. Chryst can let it rip when necessary, but he knows there is a full season ahead. As you might have read in this space last week, no matter what happened in Green Bay, Chryst would embrace the 11 remaining games of the regular season.
If you have read or heard from any number of players, it would appear as though the rest of the team is doing the same thing.
It is a good idea. Call me paranoid, but knowing there would be a ton of hype leading up to LSU, not to mention the Big Ten schedule, these next two games against Akron and Georgia State can be dangerous.
Both programs appear to be on solid footing. The Zips and the Panthers played in bowl games last season. Georgia State's program in still in its infancy, having been "born" in 2010. In its first three years, the former Packer Bill Curry led the Panthers before giving way to current coach Trent Miles. They reached full FBS status two years ago, so getting to a bowl game is no small feat.
The Zips will come to Madison riding a six-game win streak, which includes last Saturday's season-opening 47-24 decision against VMI. There are a couple of familiar names on the Akron coaching staff, beginning with head coach Terry Bowden. The son of the legendary Bobby Bowden, Terry has carved his own niche, mostly at Auburn. In 1993, he led the Tigers to an unbeaten season, and went 47-17-1 in his years on the Plains.
Bowden's defensive coordinator is Chuck Amato, the former NC State head coach and a longtime assistant to Terry's father at Florida State. Last year Amato's defense was the best in the Mid-American Conference, holding opponents to 93 rushing yards per game and just 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.
On offense, quarterback Thomas Woodson can get your attention. He should. Last week he threw for 407 yards and six touchdowns. Ten of his completions and two of his scoring tosses went to Jerome Lane. If you are a longtime college sports fan, perhaps the name sounds familiar. Back in the day, his father, Jerome, played at Pittsburgh. He could dunk a little. In fact, the elder Lane is best known for shattering a backboard, which led to a famous line from the great broadcaster Bill Raftery: "Send it in Jerome!"
There are your fun facts for this week.
The bottom line is these teams know how to play. Akron has nearly two dozen transfers, including several from Power Five programs. Playing in big stadiums is nothing new, and the Zips' style of play figures to present an interesting contrast from LSU.
It will read like a cliché, but it would be dangerous to sleep on teams such as Akron and Georgia State. There will be little hype. Writers and broadcasters will say the Badgers should win big. If they do, great, but wasn't LSU supposed to win convincingly?
So rather than assume the outcome, let us follow the Wisconsin coach's lead and embrace the beginning of the home portion of the schedule. After all, there will be just six chances to Jump Around, sing Sweet Caroline and enjoy everything else that goes into a Badger football Saturday.
In game number one, a good time was had by all. Why stop now?
