LSU fans who decided to cut their losses and turn in early, or head to Bourbon Street to drink away their sorrows, may awaken to a shock Sunday.

LSU won its 46th consecutive non-conference game in the regular season, 28-24, in a game that finished just before midnight Central Time on Saturday.

Quicksand, molasses, whatever analogy you want to deploy, the Tigers’ offense was stuck in it in the first half, gaining just 57 total yards outside of an 80-yard touchdown pass to Travin Dural. But some LSU grit and a gutsy call by the Mad Hatter helped the team erase a 17-point third-quarter deficit.

What It Means: For a while it appeared Wisconsin could start thinking about waltzing into the Big Ten championship game unbeaten. LSU, meanwhile, watched quarterback Anthony Jennings stumble in the dark before finding his footing in the second half. Suddenly the Tigers have beaten a Top 20 team at a neutral site and are poised to get several key players back from suspension or injury before SEC play, and look like a contender in the SEC West.

What I Liked: LSU didn’t fold when it appeared Wisconsin was on track to rush for 350 yards and send them crawling back to Baton Rouge with their heads tucked. The Badgers seemed to hammer the Tigers along the line of scrimmage in the first half, but LSU responded, and the SEC school looked like the bullies in the fourth quarter. The team also made two huge interceptions in the second half.

What I Didn’t Like: At one point Jennings was 1-for-8 for 12 yards on third downs before throwing a 35-yard touchdown to John Diarse on third down. Leonard Fournette rushed eight times for just 18 yards. The entire first half was both regrettable and forgettable for the Tigers, and included most of Melvin Gordon’s 16 carries for 140 yards.

Who’s The Man: Dural. His 80-yard reception was LSU’s entire offense through two-and-a-half quarters. He finished with just three catches, but that was good enough for 151 receiving yards.

Key Play: LSU trailed, 24-7, about halfway through the third quarter, and lining up to punt on fourth-and-4. Instead, Les Miles decided to fake the punt. Kendell Beckwith took the snap and ran five yards. Dural caught a 44-yard pass on the next play, setting up a field goal. But the gamble woke the Tigers from their trance and sparked a 21-0 run the rest of the game. (Honorable mention goes to the play Wisconsin defensive tackle Warren Herring got hurt. LSU butchered the middle of the Badgers defense as soon as Herring became relegated to the training table.)

What’s Next: LSU hosts Sam Houston State next Saturday. You have to figure the Bearkats were getting anxious about the time the Tigers appeared headed for a double-digit loss. The Tigers may not have as much venting to do after collecting the victory.