After a 28-7 run from 2001-2003, the Cougars are just 15-19 since under Bill Doba who very likely will be coaching in his final season. Doba preached the word "finish" throughout last season but the team still took a nose dive losing their last three games, all double digit pointspread losses, and missed a bowl game for the third straight year. WSU has a very good QB in senior Alex Brink, but he is incapable of carrying the offense by himself. To be successful Brink needs good pass protection and a strong running game to keep defenses honest. Both will be hard to come by in this matchup. Brink lost his favorite target WR Jason Hill to the NFL and leading returning receiver Brandon Gibson has been hampered by a knee injury. Gibson practiced for the just the first time in two weeks this past Tuesday and is expected to play but is less than 100%. Question marks surround the always suspect Cougar defense. Five of their top seven tacklers graduated, including sack leader Mkristo Bruce. Returning sack leader DE Lance Broadus is out for the first two weeks due to injury. Those two accounted for more than half of WSU's sacks last year. Reserve LB Jason Stripling, who nearly won a starting job, was ruled ineligible earlier this week. Doba plans to start three first year players in the secondary, including a true freshman at cornerback, who have never played a down of football at WSU. Another first year player, JC transfer Ken Dunn will start at linebacker. In a similar spot last year, a much more experienced Cougar defense was burned for 40 points and 484 yards at Auburn. I am expecting similar results Saturday. The Badgers are 18-1 SU and 11-5-1 ATS in home games since 2004. They are also 4-0 ATS in last four season openers. Badgers superior talent and depth with big home field advantage will prove to be way too much for the Cougars. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Wisconsin -14   1 UNIT