The South Dakota Coyotes play their home games in a stadium that maxes out at about 10,000 people. After losing to Air Force in their season opener, their biggest win of the season came in their second game against then No. 1 (in the FCS) Eastern Washington. Last week, the beat a team from a school called Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Now, they're preparing for an entirely different atmosphere: a road game against the Badgers at Camp Randall, one of college football's most hostile environments. South Dakota head coach Ed Meierkort seems to have an awful lot of respect for the Badgers, who he says "could legitimately win the national championship." He even called his team's trip to Camp Randall a "once in a lifetime" chance and joked (I think?) that he "might ask [Russell Wilson] for his autograph."
The coach also had some kind words about the Badger fans and a hilariously blunt dig on Minnesota, a team the Coyotes upset on the road last year. Meierkort seems like a nice, down-to-earth guy, so maybe the Badgers should take it easy on his team Saturday. After they're up by five touchdowns, that is.
The Journal Sentinel and State Journal also have South Dakota previews, complete with plenty more quotes from Meirkort and his players.
Jeff Potrykus put together a scouting report on the Coyotes, who look pretty small on defense. Wisconsin's offensive line should have their way with the South Dakota State front three.
Senior fullback Bradie Ewing has served as a utility man of sorts for the Badgers this season. His ability to do a lot of things really well -- lead blocking, catching passes and playing on all four special teams units -- has gotten him some looks from NFL teams in recent months.
Following the loss of cornerback Devin Smith for the season, Wisconsin needs younger players to step up and provide depth in the secondary. The coaches seem excited about freshman corner Devin Gaulden, who looked as though he'd be able to match up with more experienced players before missing all of preseason camp and UW's first three games while recovering from a stress fracture.
Although college football fans and media types around the country are already buzzing about Russell Wilson's Heisman's candidacy, UW has no plans to finance a campaign for their star quarterback, especially with so many meaningful games left to be played.
Wisconsin's Big Ten opener against Nebraska falls just a few days before the World Dairy Expo in the first week of October. Madison hotels are already being forced to turn guests away because of the high volume of people both events are bringing to the city.
In the least surprising news of the decade, Bo Ryan will be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Oct. 8