Boy, a mascot name like the Zips certainly doesn’t send shivers down your spine, does it?

“Oh yeah! Well we’re the Zips and we’re gonna….umm….zip you?? Or something?”

Anyways, Akron travels to Wisconsin for the season opener, where the Badgers have not dropped a home game under coach Bret Bielema. Akron has not beaten a Big Ten team in 114 years. (Yes, Akron, Cubs fans are laughing at you). So, there’s not a lot that really can be said about the “game” itself, because it should be pretty much a blowout–Wisconsin is favored by 27 by Vegas.

The real thing to look for is to see what happens with the Badgers QB situation. If there has been a real question mark that seems to have followed Wisconsin around like a lost puppy, it’s been continual issues at QB, as they are starting their third QB in as many years. 2008’s flavor of the year is Allan Evridge, who is a fifth-year senior that transferred from Kansas St. He only started six games last year and completed less than half his passes. It’s safe to say the eyebrows are raised pretty high in Madison watching this young man make his debut. If there’s anyone who is going to help Evridge become comfortable with the offense, it’s going to be Mr. Tight End himself, Travis Beckum. This guy is a monster and has the speed to really make even safeties work overtime. If Evridge can spot this guy as much as possible, he’ll definitely complete more than half of his passes.

But there won’t be any eyebrows raised over running back P.J. Hill in this game. The Zips didn’t exactly have the most staunch run defense last year (they gave up almost 184 on the ground per game), and Hill is probably licking his lips as we speak in anticipation of this game. If he doesn’t get 150 and a couple of scores it will be only because he suffers an injury or is benched for an entire half with a lopsided score.

Madison will be rocking as usual, regardless of who the Badgers play the crowd is always raucous. The sad thing is that by the time the game is over, they may be asleep. Wisconsin 41 Akron 10