Badger of Honor
Fansided

Badger of Honor writers predict Wisconsin Football’s 2019 schedule

By Sam Land

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle during a timeout in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle during a timeout in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 12
Next
Wisconsin Football
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Week 2 vs Central Michigan

Sam Land

Usually one of the top programs in the MAC, Central Michigan reverted to a disastrous 1-11 record a year ago. I would expect improvement this season under new head coach Jim McElwain, but expecting this squad to upset the Badgers at Camp Randall would be lunacy.

Central Michigan’s offense was dreadful both on the ground and through the air last season while cycling through four different quarterbacks, and the Chippewas still don’t have much clarity at the position leading into this season. That lack of stability at the game’s most important position certainly is not conducive to pulling an upset of this magnitude.

Neither is a porous defense, and the Chippewas lost most of its contributors from a unit that still gave up about 205 rushing yards and 150 passing yards per game in 2018.  I would expect the Badgers to have perhaps their strongest offensive performance of this season across the board in this one.

Oh yeah, and this is also the home opener at Camp Randall, so the crowd’s going to be a little rowdy.

Put it all together, and this one should be over by halftime at the latest.

Wisconsin 42 – Central Michigan 10

Christian Borman

Fresh off a win at South Florida, the Badgers host Central Michigan in their first home game of the season. The Chippewas finished last season with a 1-11 record and also struggled mightily in run defense last season. They ranked 104th overall in run defense, allowing just over 204 yards per game. They also lost Malik Fountain, their leader in tackles (153) and interceptions (2) from last season. For the second game in a row, Jonathan Taylor and the Wisconsin football running backs should be able to feast and get what they want.

The Chippewas did rank 4th the country in passing yards allowed last season with just 150 yards per game. This can be a misleading statistic however, because if teams could run whenever they wanted, they wouldn’t have to pass. This will be a similar game; the Badgers will have more rushing yards than passing yards.

Wisconsin 42 – Central Michigan 10