{image1} Looks, someone once said, can be deceiving. And whether or not it was Beano Cook or Lee Corso who first coined the phrase, the sentiment certainly applies to college football. And to be more specific, it often applies to the non-conference portion of UW's schedule.

Take last year, for instance. Not only did the heavily favored Badgers lose, 23-5, at home to UNLV, they barely held off Akron in the home opener the week before. In 2002, UW narrowly averted losses to Fresno State (23-21) and Northern Illinois (24-21). The year prior, that same Fresno State team (this one led by current Houston Texan David Carr) beat the Badgers soundly in Madison, 32-20. And 2000 saw narrow home wins against Western Michigan and Cincinnati, both while the Badgers were ranked in the Top 5 nationally.

In short, if there's not an early loss, there's always a scare. This year, the fretting begins Saturday when Central Florida visits refurbished Camp Randall Stadium. UNLV pays a return visit a week later, and the Badgers travel to Tucson to take on Arizona on Sept. 18.

UCF, UNLV and U of A combined to go just 11-25 last season, but we won't let that fool us now, will we? A three-game winning streak seems likely, but prepare your cursing in advance just to be safe.

Here's a quick look at the key players for each opponent.

Central Florida: The Mid-American Conference's Golden Knights fell on their collective keister last year, finishing 3-9 despite high expectations. After the season, head coach Mike Kruczek was quickly dismissed and ex-Notre Dame embarrassment George O'Leary was hired in Orlando. O'Leary promises to return balance to an offense which has relied heavily on the pass since Daunte Culpepper prowled the campus.

He'll do so behind senior tailback Alex Haynes, the emotional leader of the team. With 2,502 career rushing yards and 22 TDs, Haynes is poised to become the school's all-time leading runner. But there are two good portents for Badgers backers: first, UW's defensive line should be formidable; second, O'Leary himself calls UCF's offensive line undersized. Haynes should be harnessed.

But watch for sophomore quarterback Steven Moffett to look for diminutive wide receivers Tavaris Capers (5'8") and Luther Higgins (5'9") often. Plus, speedy sophomore running back Dontavius Wilcox can catch passes out of the backfield and will challenge UW's inexperienced linebackers.

UNLV: Despite gaining just 187 yards, the Rebels parlayed five turnovers into a 23-5 win on a rainy Saturday in Madison last September. Barry Alvarez's team cannot claim ignorance against UNLV this time around.

Two players stand out for veteran coach John Robinson: senior wide receiver Earvin Johnson and senior strong safety Jamaal Brimmer. Both had big games against the Badgers in 2003.

Johnson isn't a burner, but he does everything well. Last year, he had 60 receptions and four TDs, including two highlight scoring grabs against UW. He's a big, prototypical receiving prospect -- think Terrell Owens without the idiocy and overt speed.

Brimmer was nothing short of incredible against the Badgers last year, registering two sacks, two interceptions and a 55-yard fumble return for a TD. He's the school's first returning All-American since Randall Cunningham, another guy who made local fans wince. John Stocco, welcome to major college football.

Two other Rebels to watch are senior tailback Dominique Dorsey, who churned out 100 yards on 26 carries in last year's game, and Ohio State transfer and fellow back JaJa Riley, who could develop with some early work.

For a scouting report on UNLV, watch them take on Tennessee this Sunday on ESPN2.

Arizona: UW had a fairly easy time with the Wildcats the last time the teams met in 2002, a 31-10 win in Madison. And although UA is coming off a dismal 2-10 campaign, things could be different this September.

Former Oklahoma and Kansas State defensive guru Mike Stoops takes over for John Mackovic on the sidelines. His presence is a welcome one for a fan base that endured defensive averages of over 460 yards and 35 points allowed in 2003.

Running back Mike Bell gives Stoops hope on the offensive side. The third-leading rusher in the Pac-10 a year ago finished with 920 yards and 5.5 yards per carry. Expect sophomore quarterback Kris Heavner to hand it to him despite a lousy 8:15 TD-to-interception ratio as a frosh.

Stocco will have an opportunity to post his first big numbers in this one. Arizona's defense was 112th in D-I against the pass last year, including 45 passes of 20 yards or more. Plus, Stoops will have two new starting corners to work with, though that's presumably a positive.

Stoops has generated a lot of enthusiasm for a flagging program in Tucson. UW must avoid an early deficit in its first road game to put a damper on a hopeful home crowd.