WHAT TO KNOW

What’s at stake

Another pivotal season for LSU begins in a “neutral site” road game at Lambeau Field, far from the comfy confines of SEC country. The Tigers are a national title contender featuring a Heisman Trophy hopeful in RB Leonard Fournette. A loss to Wisconsin puts coach Les Miles back on the seemingly perpetual hot seat. The Badgers could get a huge confidence boost with a schedule looming filled with tough games, including Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State.

Key matchup

Fournette vs. Wisconsin linebackers. Strength vs. strength. At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Fournette will be hard to bring down. He ran for 22 touchdowns last season, averaging 162.8 yards per game. But the Tigers have new starters at both tackle positions and right guard. Badgers OLB Vince Biegel must lead a strong team effort to limit yards after contact. Third-and-longs will help a Wisconsin defense that will have three new starters in the secondary, including both safeties.

Players to watch

LSU: Fournette. Let the Heisman campaign begin.

Wisconsin: RB Corey Clement. The senior is eager to leave behind a disappointing 2015 season marked by injuries and an off-field issue. He’s still averaging 6.6 yards per carry in his career. Healthy again, Clement is Wisconsin’s best breakaway threat.

Facts & figures

Fournette needs 13 yards to reach 3,000 for his career. With 487 attempts in 25 games, the junior is poised to become the fastest player in LSU history to reach that plateau, a mark currently held by Kevin Faulk (3,000 on 572 attempts in 28 games) ... LSU is 13-5 in neutral site games under Miles, entering his 12th season as head coach. ... Wisconsin has not played an in-state game outside of Madison since a 21-0 victory over Notre Dame in Milwaukee on Oct. 14, 1905. ... QB Bart Houston, who is named after former Packers QB and Hall of Famer Bart Starr, will make his first career start at Lambeau, where Starr played his home games.

Betting line

LSU by 10