re: Our young defensive front vs. Wisconsin's running game...

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Melvin Gordon will be the highest picked RB in the NFL draft. Dude is fast like Jamal Charles and has great vision and balance. I think he averaged like 11 YPC last year. That's absurd.

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He would have probably been the first back off the board in the 2014 Draft, too.

Though a likely long shot, Wisconsin's schedule sets up nicely for them to make a run at one of the playoff spots. With the exception of LSU, Wisconsin will be favored in each game. Couple that with Gordon's desire to make a run for the Heisman, and I think those are the main reasons for his return.

Anyway, he averaged 7.8 YPC last season and 10.0 YPC as a FR(RS). 11.0 YPC would have been absurd, but he wasn't very close to that number last season.

With his "home run" ability, he has drawn some comparisons to Jamaal Charles. Gordon has excellent acceleration, though I am not sure he has the end-to-end speed of a Jamaal Charles. He is a long-strider, which makes it awfully difficult for defenses to keep up.

LSU will also pay special attention to Corey Clement. Very talented true sophomore. I say "special attention" because of how productive Wisconsin's backup RBs typically have been.
- 2013: Melvin Gordon (1,609 yards, 12 TDs) and Corey Clement (547 yards, 7 TDs)
- 2012: James White (806 yards, 12 TDs) and Melvin Gordon (621 yards, 3 TDs)
- 2011: James White (713 yards, 6 TDs)
- 2010: James White (1,052 yards, 14 TDs) and Montee Ball (996 yards, 18 TDs)

Wisconsin had a very successful BCS era as they compiled the 12th best record nationally (146-61, .705%), but still trying to cement themselves in the upper-echelon of the country. Elite recruits are not knocking down the doors, though Gary Andersen is attempting to change that.

Quite obvious that LSU is much more talented and despite the experience of a Joel Stave, he still struggled for stretches last season. That was with a very good receiver and tight end who are now in the NFL. He does not have that this season. Against an opponent like LSU, not being able to stretch the field and solely rely on the run is not a recipe for success. I'm hopeful, but not confident.