Wisconsin Badgers vs Arizona State Sun Devils Football Preview

For the Wisconsin Badgers, this Saturday’s game against the Arizona State Sun Devils is just another step toward regaining college football prominence. For the team Wisconsin is playing this weekend, the 2010 season hangs in the balance… and that’s not an overstatement.

Among the programs in the Pac-10 Conference who need to get off their dime and perform this year, Arizona State is at the top of the list. ASU head coach Dennis Erickson, who won two national championships at Miami and led Oregon State to a 32-point Fiesta Bowl drubbing of Notre Dame on the first night of 2001, was met with a rousing welcome in the Desert Southwest. The replacement for beleaguered Sun Devil coach Dirk Koetter was expected to engineer a turnaround at a program that is resource-rich but results-poor.

In year one, the returns were fantastic for the program and athletic director Lisa Love, who brought the much-traveled Erickson to town. The Sun Devils went 10-2 in Erickson’s first regular season and were very nearly selected for their hometown Fiesta Bowl. They had to settle for the Holiday Bowl, but it appeared that the Devils were due for even bigger things. Yet, after crashing and burning in both 2008 and 2009 – going 4-8 in the former year and 5-7 in the latter – the heat of the desert is suddenly pounding on Erickson’s back. The Valley of the Sun is burning Erickson’s seat and making it a very warm place to be. If Erickson can’t deliver the goods in 2010, he might not get fired, but he could set himself up for a fall from power in 2011 if things don’t go right.

Enter this matchup with Wisconsin.

Arizona State played two patsies – Portland State and Northern Arizona, both at home – to tune up for the Badgers and a visit to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Two easy wins have done nothing to show that this team can compete against an upper-tier Big Ten foe. That’s why this game is so important, even though it’s not a conference clash for the Devils.

Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet, a transfer from Michigan, led the Wolverines to a win over the Badgers in 2008. Threet must regain the form he showed on that day two years ago against Wisconsin in order for the visitors to have a chance in this game. Threet has thrown for 630 yards this season running the Sun Devils’ fast-paced spread offense.  Wisconsin allowed 252 yards passing last week against San Jose State, so the UW defense could very well be tested against the Sun Devils.

Wisconsin was erratic last week in a 27-14 win over San Jose State, and will need to be much sharper when the Sun Devils visit Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday.

The Badgers’ offense fumbled away two immediate scoring opportunities, on running back James White’s fumble through the end zone, and quarterback Scott Tolzien’s fumble on a fourth-and-one snap inside the Spartans’ five-yard line.

After a surprising 2009 debut, Tolzien has struggled at times this season.  In two games, he has just one touchdown pass. 

Reigning Big Ten offensive MVP John Clay has carried the Badgers’ offense.  Clay has rolled up 260 rushing yards on 40 carries, with four touchdowns.  Sophomore Montee Ball has complemented Clay with 110 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns.

Wide receiver Nick Toon missed last week’s game with turf toe, and is questionable for this week.  Kick returner David Gilreath will miss this week’s game after sustaining a concussion on a frightening hit against San Jose State.  Gilreath was taken from the field on an ambulance.

When Arizona State takes the field against Wisconsin, it isn’t hoping that its season will be in critical condition.