Five players to watch for Wisconsin football vs New Mexico

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Wisconsin football - Jonathan Taylor fumbling against Western Kentucky

MADISON, WI – AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers fumbles the ball in the third quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Taylor had a very strong outing against Western Kentucky last week. The sophomore took 18 carries for 145 yards and had two long touchdown runs along the way. He had as good of an early-season game as you can hope for against a weak opponent and should play just as well next week.

Taylor is mentioned here for one big, huge, negative, glaring reason though. He lost a fumble against Western Kentucky. Ball security is the one thing that’s been harped on all offseason for Taylor by every single person who’s ever mentioned him or the Badgers. He’s as talented a runner as they come, but he must cut down on the fumbling issues.

Things were looking good for Taylor throughout the Western Kentucky game until he lost the fumble. But that’s the thing about fumbles. They aren’t a concern until they actually happen, and they can happen at any moment. Every team from here on out will be trying to force the ball free of Taylor’s grasp. New Mexico will be no different.

The Lobos have to have confidence in themselves coming into this game or nobody will. Their gameplan probably starts with winning the turnover battle. When a fumble can happen at any moment, it’s the one thing to watch out for.

Enjoy Taylor running all over the New Mexico defense, because I still think that will happen, but watch carefully to see how high and tight he’s holding that football through the hole.