Wisconsin Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. New Mexico

In a very unique non-conference contest, Wisconsin football welcomes New Mexico to Madison for a Saturday kickoff.

The Badgers made quick work of Western Kentucky last week, posting a 34-3 victory behind Jonathan Taylor’s 145 yards and two scores.

Taylor, a preseason Heisman contender, was part of a 234-yard rushing performance that averaged six yards per carry. He set an FBS record for freshman running backs a year ago, putting up 1,977 yards.

New Mexico, meanwhile, showed some new moves on offense, throwing for 361 yards and racking up 680 total yards of offense with 32 first downs. Of course, they also ran for 318 on 66 carries in a 62-30 victory over Incarnate Word.

Last year, Tevaka Tuioti threw for just 705 yards on 57 completions with four touchdowns. In Week 1, he was 13-for-21 for 327 yards and four passing scores.

This isn’t Incarnate Word, though, it’s national title contender Wisconsin.

Here’s how you can watch Thursday night’s TCU vs. SMU game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 8
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Madison, Wisc.
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium
TV: BTN
Live Stream: BTN2Go or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

If New Mexico can get some momentum going early and put the pressure on Wisconsin, they might have a chance to hang around. The Lobos will need to do much more on offense compared to Week 1, especially in terms of limiting turnovers and penalties.

For the Badgers, they just need to prepare like it is any other Big Ten game and play to their strengths, which remain running the ball and solid defense.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Oddshark

Point Spread: Wisconsin -35
Over/Under: 58

Prediction

The dynamic of the New Mexico offense can be difficult to contend with, but when you are a run-based team like Wisconsin, it shouldn’t be too difficult to simulate in practice.

The Badgers are a handful at home, and the Lobos will find that out first-hand this week.

Final Score: Wisconsin 52, New Mexico 7