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Where: Camp Randall Stadium. Time: 7 p.m. Thursday. TV: ESPN. Radio: AM-920. Tickets: Available.

Line: UW by 35. Weather: Clear, high of 87. Series: UW has won the last four meetings and leads the series, 7-2

Coaches: Wisconsin's Bret Bielema (49-16); UNLV's Bobby Hauck (82-28).

FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

ALL EYES ON WILSON: Senior quarterback Russell Wilson sounds excited - not nervous - to make his Wisconsin debut after starting 36 games at North Carolina State. Wilson was asked this week whether he anticipates being somewhat jittery to make a good impression in his first game at UW. Not a chance, he said. He noted that thorough preparation leaves you relaxed, and based on his play in preseason camp Wilson appears prepared for a big game.

NEW FACES ON DEFENSE: UW fans barely saw linebacker Chris Borland last season before a shoulder injury ended his season in Week 3. Defensive end Brendan Kelly, who was limited to eight games in 2009 because of injures, ended up redshirting last season because of a serious pelvis/groin injury. Borland, the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2009, could be a dynamic performer at middle linebacker if he stays healthy. Kelly has the physical ability and the motor to be a playmaker at end if he can stay healthy. If Borland and Kelly can avoid injury this season, UW's defense will benefit greatly.

BOSTAD'S BOYS: Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt are gone from the left side of the offensive line, replaced by Ricky Wagner and Travis Frederick. Individually, Wagner and Frederick might eventually become better players than their predecessors. But it will take time. Expect to see some communication issues between Wagner and Frederick, who will be starting next to each other for the first time. However, offensive line coach Bob Bostad should field a unit that once more will be the cornerstone of the UW offense. Pete Konz is a stud at center. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is a beast whose work often goes unnoticed. Right tackle Josh Oglesby needs to stay healthy and play his best football at UW. The offense appears to have the capacity to grind down teams with a dominant running game or strike quickly thanks to the arm and feet of Wilson, and it will again start with the line.

BOOST FROM SPECIAL TEAMS? UW should have the legs to produce critical plays on special teams, even with senior Philip Welch (leg) out for the opener. Redshirt freshman Kyle French looked good in camp and is set to handle placements. Redshirt sophomore Alec Lerner will handle kickoffs. But will the return game be up to the task with David Gilreath gone? Redshirt sophomore Jared Abbrederis will return punts, though free safety Aaron Henry is probably a more explosive option. With Abbrederis and tailback James White paired on kickoff returns, opponents won't be able to kick the ball to a lesser return man unless they choose short, pooch kicks. Head coach Bret Bielema is rolling the dice a bit by using two key players on kickoff returns. He believes the potential rewards are worth it. We shall see.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wisconsin has won 28 consecutive regular-season games against non-league foes. The last loss to a non-league foe in the regular season was a 23-5 defeat at the hands of visiting Nevada-Las Vegas on Sept. 13, 2003. UW entered the day 2-0, with victories over West Virginia and Akron, and ranked No. 14.

HISTORY

This the fifth time Wisconsin and Nevada-Las Vegas have met at Camp Randall Stadium. UW is 3-1 in those games.

The last time the Rebels visited Madison came in Week 2 of the 2004 season, Bret Bielema's first as UW's defensive coordinator.

UW's defense held the Rebels to 174 total yards, including 72 rushing and did not allow a touchdown for the second consecutive game en route to an 18-3 victory.

Linebacker Mark Zalewski recorded one of the Badgers' two safeties when he sacked quarterback Shane Steichen.

Safety Jim Leonhard returned a blocked field-goal attempt 86 yards for a touchdown, and freshman tailback Jamil Walker rushed for 88 yards. Walker is a member of UW's strength and conditioning staff.

JEFF POTRYKUS' PICK

Even the best teams sometimes scuffle in Week 1. UW fell into that trap last season before pulling away for a 41-21 victory at Nevada-Las Vegas. The Badgers will have an easier time this season. They have a fifth-year senior quarterback in Russell Wilson, the recipe for an outstanding running game, a stout front seven on defense and they're at home. UNLV is young across the board, including at quarterback where Caleb Herring is making his first college start. UW rolls, 45-7.