Most Important College Football Game for Each Top 25 Team During 2016 Season
By Zach Bigalke
8. Wisconsin Takes Down LSU 16-14 at Lambeau (Sept. 3)
There weren’t high expectations for Wisconsin entering the 2016 season. Neither major Top 25 poll had the Badgers ranked in the preseason, and they were 12.5-point underdogs against LSU in their season opener. Even though they were playing in their home state in the first college game held at Lambeau Field since 1983, few gave Wisconsin any hope of even keeping pace with a tough Tigers team. Instead, a tight victory set the tone for a season that ended with a spot in the Big Ten championship.
Through the 20-plus minutes of the game, the two defenses were shining brightest. Wisconsin finally got on the board after recovering a Derrius Guice fumble deep in LSU territory, converting the turnover into three points. Rafael Gaglianone kicked another field goal after the Badgers defense forced a turnover on downs on the next drive, and Wisconsin added to its lead on the first drive of the second half as Corey Clement punched the ball into the endzone. Les Miles’ Tigers turned things around on a Tre’Davious White pick-six and another touchdown on a short field after a Wisconsin fumble.
Gaglianone, who was sidelined just three games into the season after requiring back surgery, came up the hero at Lambeau. Wisconsin chewed up more than four minutes of clock with its power-running game, getting into position for a 47-yard field goal. With 3:47 remaining, Gaglianone punched through his third field goal of the game. The Badgers defense intercepted Brandon Harris in the final minute as LSU marched within range of a game-winning kick of its own, and Wisconsin never left the Top 25 for the rest of the year.