No. 10 Wisconsin faces biggest test in BYU

Sep 14, 2017 - 7:34 PM No. 10 Wisconsin (2-0) at BYU (1-2), Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Line: Wisconsin by 17. Series Record: Tied at 1-1. WHAT'S AT STAKE A road trip to BYU will be the toughest test yet for the Badgers, but they are still heavily favored. Wisconsin is looking to start the season 3-0 and remain in the Top 10. A victory would be a huge boost for the Cougars after getting soundly beaten by No. 12 LSU and falling to rival Utah the past two weeks. The BYU offense has been subpar, ranking No. 125 in total offense, and now plays a top 30 scoring defense for the third week in a row. KEY MATCHUP Wisconsin's run game vs. BYU's front seven. Freshman Jonathan Taylor is ranked No. 7 in the nation with 155 rushing yards per game, an FBS freshman-high. Wisconsin is known for churning out NFL running backs and Taylor may be next. BYU's front seven is their strength with DE Sione Takitaki and LB Fred Warner, but the defense still ranks No. 88 in the nation against the run (166 yards per game). Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley ran for 89 yards on the Cougars last week and LSU's Derrius Guice posted 122 yards two weeks ago. PLAYERS TO WATCH Wisconsin: TE Troy Fumagalli. The preseason second-team All-American ranks third in the nation among tight ends with 98.5 yards per game. He posted a career-high eight receptions against Florida Atlantic. BYU: Warner. The senior is tied for No. 8 in the nation with 26 tackles and 16 solo tackles. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound team captain is the centerpiece of a defense that has been the strong point of the team. FACTS & FIGURES BYU coaches declined to comment on the health or availability of starting QB Tanner Mangum this week. ... This will be the first time an active member of the Big Ten has played at BYU. ... The Cougars pass offense ranks No. 107 in the nation with 155.3 yards per game. ... Wisconsin is 8-1 in true road games under coach Paul Chryst. ... The Badgers have not allowed a point in the second half this season. ___ More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25