LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is confident he can lead the nation’s most prolific offense into the post-Jayden Daniels era.
The patient third-year sophomore will make his first college start, stepping in for the Heisman Trophy winner when the 13th-ranked Tigers (9-3) face Wisconsin (8-5) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday.
Daniels, who threw for 3,812 yards and ran for 1,134 while also accounting for 50 touchdowns, opted out of the SEC-Big Ten matchup at Raymond James Stadium to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft.
“I wouldn’t say I’m looking at it as an opportunity to build for next season. I’m more about this game right now,” Nussmeier said. “The preparation that we’ve been putting together for this game. That’s my biggest focus.”
Wisconsin won seven games in its first full season under Luke Fickell.
Wisconsin will be without its top offensive star, too. Junior running back Braelon Allen declared for the NFL draft averaging 5.9 yards per carry and rushing for 3,494 yards and 35 TDs over three seasons with the Badgers. Despite injuries, he ran for 984 yards and 12 TDs in 2023.
The teams haven't met since early in the 2016 season.
This is LSU's 55th bowl appearance. It marks Wisconsin's 35th bowl game. The Badgers have reached 22 straight bowls. The Badgers rebounded from a three-game losing streak to win its final two games of the regular season.
Safety Hunter Wohler said the team is motivated to play well on Monday.
“It’s about who cares more when it comes to bowl games. Who wants it more, and who’s going to do the stuff throughout the week to be ready for when the ball kicks off,” said Wohler, adding it would mean a lot to beat LSU.
How they match up:
- Who: No. 13 LSU (9-3, SEC) vs. Wisconsin (7-5, Big Ten)
- When: Jan. 1, noon (ESPN2)
- Where: Raymond James Stadium
- Ticket information
NOTABLE
LSU: The nine-win Tigers have the nation's top scoring offense at 46.4 points per game. They also lead in total offense at 547.8 yards.
Wisconsin: This is the first full season for the Badgers under Luke Fickell, who was hired away from Cincinnati in November 2022 and was on the sideline as the Badgers beat Oklahoma State in last year’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl. The Badgers followed a three-game skid by winning their last two games to extend a lengthy bowl streak.
LAST TIME
Wisconsin 16, LSU 14 (Sept. 3, 2016)
BOWL HISTORY
LSU: This is the program's 55th bowl appearance and second under coach Brian Kelly. LSU has won four of its last five bowl games.
Wisconsin: This is Wisconsin's 35th bowl game and 22nd straight bowl bid. The Badgers are 19-15 in bowls, including wins in eight of nine dating to the 2014 season.
