Week 10 Badgers (and the rest of the B1G) Predictions
Picture credit AP Photo/Morry Gash
#8 Wisconsin at Northwestern (11 am on ABC)
The Badgers head to Evanston to face a surging Wildcats team (3-1 in last four games) in a stadium where Wisconsin hasn't won since 1999. This spells trouble for Wisconsin as they are coming off a very emotional win against Nebraska last weekend in Madison. The Badgers have finally made it through the gauntlet where they face 5 top 8 teams in their first eight games. While Badgers fans breathe a sigh of relief because finally do not seeing a Top 25 ranking next to their opponent's name, they can also agree that this has the makings of a "trap" game.
The Wildcats haven't played nearly as hard of a schedule as the Badgers have, however, this Northwestern team has dialed in over the past few weeks after the disastrous start that they had. They have posted over 400 yards of offense the past three weeks, including their game at Ohio State last week. The Wildcats also boast the Big Ten's leading receiver in Austin Carr, and one of the best running backs in the Big Ten in Justin Jackson. Jackson has run all over the Badgers the past two years, and it'll be interesting to see if this is the year the Badgers can stop him.
On the other side, the Badgers again have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten and the country. That'll be their key to winning this game as their offense has been stagnant over the past two weeks. No one has been able to slow down Austin Carr these past few weeks, and Badgers know that he will be targeted all game. We will see if the Badgers secondary can finally find a way to slow him down.
In order for the Badgers to win this game, they will need to be able to move the ball effectively against this underrated Northwestern defense. It is cliche, but the Wisconsin offense has been way too predicable the past two weeks, and they will need to find consistency in their quarterbacks, and variety in their play calling this week to leave with a win.
It's hard not to give the advantage to Wisconsin based solely on how good their defense has been this year. Wisconsin's offense will find a way to score just enough to win this game, but will continue to put the defense in tough positions. The defense will once again rise to the challenge, and Wisconsin will barely walk away with a win in Evanston for the first time in 16 years. Final UW 20 NW 17
Other games in the Big Ten
Michigan State at Illinois (11 am on ESPN News)
At the beginning of the year, who would have guessed that Michigan State would be joining the Indiana at Rutgers games as part of the two "bummer games" in the Big Ten this week? A two-win Spartan team takes on another two-win Illini team in Champagne where the Spartans will be looking for their first win in B1G play this year. Michigan State finally put together a decent game last weekend. Unfortunately, it ended in a 32-23 loss to Michigan. This will be the week that Michigan State can finally pull out a win against Illinois whose only B1G win came against Rutgers. Not a moment too soon as they face Ohio State in just two weeks. Final: MSU 24 ILL 17
Indiana at Rutgers (11 am on BTN)
In the other "bummer game" of the week, the (4-4) Hoosiers go head-to-head with the (2-6) Scarlett Knights. Though Indiana is just 1-3 in their last four games. They should be able to handle Rutgers easily. If their running game is anything like it was against Maryland (Hoosiers ran for 414 yards), Rutgers won't be able to slow down Indiana. Rutgers boasts the worst scoring and worst rushing defense in the Big Ten. With the Hoosiers quietly ranked 3rd in the B1G in total offense they will come away with a big win. Final: IU 41 RU 17
Maryland at #2 Michigan (2:30 pm on ESPN)
Maryland faces a tough, nearly impossible challenge this week by traveling to Ann Arbor to take on the second best team in the country. Maryland is coming off a high scoring loss to Indiana, and Michigan coming off a win against rival Michigan State. Michigan is favored by 31 points this week, and I'd be shocked if they don't win by more. Michigan has the number one scoring offense and defense in the Big Ten, and is far-and-away the better team in this contest and will be the best team Maryland has faced this year. Michigan rolls again in Ann Arbor. Final: MICH 48 MARY 14
Purdue at Minnesota (2:30 on BTN)
Purdue heads to Minneapolis this week to take on the Gophers who are currently riding a three game win streak. The Gophers were able to run all over the Illini this past week, and should not struggle to do the same this week. Gerad Parker has done a solid job as interim head coach of Purdue and has brought a little bit of life back to the Boilermakers, but unfortunately will still be way outmatched from a talent standpoint. Purdue held their own against Iowa, and Nebraska, and may be able to keep the first half close, but won't be able to keep up in the second half against a Minnesota team that is quietly tied for second in the Big Ten West. Final: UM 38 PUR 17
Iowa at #12 Penn State (6:30 on BTN)
Penn State is on upset alert this week as Iowa comes to Happy Valley. The big question here is will Iowa find a way to stop Saquon Barkley? He's gone over 200 rushing yards twice in the last three games, and the Nittany Lions have quickly climbed to the third best scoring offense in the B1G. Iowa's defense has been inconsistent this year, but did only allow 17 points to Wisconsin and will be coming off a bye week. The Hawkeyes will have had two weeks to prepare for this game, however, Penn State's offense will be too much for this Iowa team. Penn State wins a close one in Happy Valley. Final: PSU 23 Iowa 17
#10 Nebraska at #6 Ohio State (7:00 pm on ABC)
The biggest game in the Big Ten this week again belongs to Ohio State. The Buckeyes have played under the lights in two of the last three weeks. Northwestern took the Buckeyes to the wire last week, and the Buckeyes will need to regroup and be ready this week for a tough Nebraska team coming off a heartbreaking loss in Madison last week. This game has huge implications in both the Big Ten West and East. If Nebraska wins, they will have a great chance of winning out and winning the Big Ten West. With a loss, they will also lose their first place position in the West. Ohio State needs to win to stay one game behind Michigan in the East to give themselves a chance to beat the Wolverines head-to-head and win the East. This has all the makings to be a phenomenal game. Ohio State uses their home-field advantage here and hands Nebraska their second heartbreaking loss in as many weeks. Final: OSU 31 NEB 17
