TAMPA – To kick off 2024, on Jan. 1 the ReliaQuest Bowl hosts the No. 13-ranked LSU Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers in the Tampa Bay area.
After a solid 9-3 season, the Tigers hope to cap off the year with a win.
The last time these two programs played was back in 2016, where the Badgers won 16-14.
The Tigers will be without Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Jayden Daniels. But backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will step in for his first start as an LSU Tiger. He is looking to showcase his skills, as he is expected to take over for the upcoming season.
At the receiver position, the Tigers will still have their top two wideouts in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Nabers is looking to break the LSU career receiving yards record and only needs 22 more yards to do so.
Both teams have approximately 12 players in the transfer portal and on the Badgers side, three of those players were starters.
The Badgers will also be without their leading yard rusher Allen Braelon, who has been a key player in their success. He has opted out and will be preparing for the NFL Draft, along with defensive back Jason Maitre and center Tanor Bortolini.
The Badgers will also miss their No. 2 running back in Chez Mellusi – who is injured – as well as receivers Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell, who have opted out.
It seems that the Badgers (7-5) will have to win this game via their passing attack. Although quarterback Tanner Mordecai will be without his key offensive weapons, the Tigers defense has been arguably one of the worst defenses in all of college football, especially in coverage.
With about a month to prepare for the ReliaQuest Bowl, we will see what sort of defense that defensive coordinator Matt House puts out on the field.
This game should be a good one as both teams would like to start 2024 – and end this season – with a win.
The kickoff time is set for 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on ESPN2.
