FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

Start fast: UW’s offense foundered early in the opener against Utah State, generating a combined 7 yards on 11 plays on its first three possessions. Florida Atlantic struggled defensively last season and did so again in the opener against Navy. The Owls allowed 52, 25, 31, 42 and 77 points in their final five games last season and allowed 416 rushing yards and 42 points last week against Navy. The Owls likely will have to gamble to stop UW’s rushing attack, which could lead to big hits down the field. Can you hear me now? UW players, as well as defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, acknowledged this week that communication issues affected the unit early in the opener. The reasons: Utah State’s up-tempo offense, four new starters and crowd noise. Florida Atlantic will try to push the pace as well but with a game in the books the players should be better equipped to communicate the calls across the field and get set before the snap. Yellow alert: UW last season finished second nationally in fewest penalties per game at 3.4. UW’s high last season for penalties in a game was eight, in Game 11 at Purdue. The high for penalty yards was 67, set in Game 4 at Michigan State and tied at Purdue. The Badgers were penalized six times for 38 yards in the first half of the opener and finished with nine penalties for 73 yards. Penalties for blocking in the back in the opening quarter forced UW to start drives from its 4 and 9, respectively. The Badgers punted both times. Ground and pound: UW’s top three tailbacks – Bradrick Shaw, Jonathan Taylor and Chris James – combined to rush 32 times for 186 yards, an average of 5.8 yards per carry. Those numbers appear solid but all parties involved acknowledged there were missed assignments by blockers, missed holes by the backs and missed opportunities overall. With Shaw (leg) questionable, Taylor, James and Rachid Ibrahim could combine to get the bulk of the carries.