Badger of Honor
Fansided

Week one games of interest to Wisconsin football fans

By Tanner Nestle

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (far left) drops back to pass during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (far left) drops back to pass during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football - Northwestern Football, Purdue Football
EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Lorenzo Neal #9 of the Purdue Boilermakers moves in to make a tackle attempt on Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 11, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Northwestern at Purdue

Thursday, August 30th

8:00 p.m. ET

This game is actually before Wisconsin’s and is being played Thursday night. Consider it an appetizer of sorts. But the outcome is just as important as the entree.

Northwestern and Purdue are among the teams chasing Wisconsin in the Big Ten West this year. While second place is the only real position up for grabs, these teams are improving. The division will soon be more difficult for Wisconsin and hopefully, the talking heads of college football will stop using the strength of Wisconsin’s schedule to discount the Badgers.

Northwestern and Purdue are both led by likable and talented coaches. This game is a toss-up as far as who will win. And that’s exactly why it’s of interest to Wisconsin fans. Although the Badgers won’t see Purdue until late in the season, and things can change by then, seeing what these two teams will bring to the table in this uncharacteristically early conference battle will give us an idea of what’s to come.

There isn’t any time for these two teams to feel each other out or experiment. This game matters. If either has any hopes of competing for the Big Ten West this year, this game is approaching ‘must win’ status.

Not many games on the slate in week one can say the same of its participants. This one should be as competitive as any in the opening weekend, and Badger fans should pay attention.