Big Ten Football: Preseason Stock Report Rankings

4. Wisconsin

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year: 9-4 (6-2)

This Week: vs. No. 13 LSU (in Dallas – Aug 30 – 7:00 P.M. on ESPN)

My Prediction: LSU 27-17

The biggest offseason move in Madison came just this past weekend.

Wisconsin head coach Gary Anderson is reportedly going to start dual-threat quarterback Tanner McEvoy over veteran Joel Stave.

This isn’t your typical quarterback competition news that happens almost everywhere across the nation this time of year. This move represents a changing of the guard.

Stave wouldn’t confuse anyone for an All-Big Ten quarterback, but he’s earned his stripes over the last few years. Most reports out of Badger camp are saying Stave outperformed McEvoy in camp, too.

Anderson wants to go away from the traditional game management role that has been so successful for Wisconsin quarterbacks the past 15 years and add a running threat.

He’s had plenty of success running spread offenses during his tenure at Utah State and wants to add more of that into the Badger playbook.

It’s a big gamble for the second-year head coach, especially with a showdown versus No. 13 LSU on the horizon.

However, McEvoy will have plenty of time to grow after the game with against Tigers as Wisconsin doesn’t face another Top 25 team until they invite Nebraska to Madison on November 15.

The quarterback scramble may put an even heavier load on stud running back Melvin Gordon.

Gordon was already preparing to take a few more shots without graduated running mate James White. Badger fans are hoping back up Corey Clement can step in for White.

No matter how this all turns out, Big Ten fans should be glued to their television for Saturday’s showdown with LSU. A Wisconsin win would be a huge statement for the conference.