A Wisconsin football prediction for the Big Ten opener for the Badgers and Northwestern Wildcats from Madison
Wisconsin (3-0) football opens Big Ten play with an late morning start against the Northwestern Wildcats (2-1) on Saturday.
The Badgers are about a two touchdown favorite against unranked Northwestern. So here is one prediction for the first conference game of the season.
Given the soft non-conference slate, it’s hardly surprising that Northwestern is easily the toughest test of the 2017 season.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
The Wildcats have a decent offense, especially throwing the ball. Meanwhile, they still have the defending conference rushing leader in Justin Jackson. However, Jackson has not really gotten off the mark yet this season.
My prediction is we’ll see Northwestern to struggle to run the ball against the athletic Wisconsin linebacking group. The Wildcats will have some success in the air throwing wide, outside the numbers.
But Northwestern’s pass protection won’t be able to provide a consistently clean pocket. As a result, sacks will ruin drives. Worse yet, some pressure will lead to turnovers. Thus, Northwestern won’t find its usual rhythm throwing the ball limiting its offensive output.
AJ Taylor will bust a couple long kick returns which will help Wisconsin win the field position battle and give the offense short fields. He’s becoming a weapon back there and we’ll see it on Saturday.
For the Wisconsin offense, Jonathan Taylor will continue his charge up the national rushing ranks and retain his Big Ten lead. Per usual, Taylor will break off some big runs early to stake Wisconsin to an early advantage.
A second half Wisconsin lead will be a great opportunity to spread the ball down the running back depth chart. Significantly, that means Bradrick Shaw will get some live game reps as he returns to full fitness.
Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook won’t be (nearly) perfect again. But he won’t need to be against the Wildcats. Just continue his efficient play and move the chains.
Wisconsin 37 Northwestern 17
The Wildcats will snap the Badgers’ second half shutout streak. But it’s purely cosmetic. In sum, a comfortable Wisconsin win to open Big Ten play against a divisional pest.