Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin football: Where is Wisconsin in the latest bowl predictions?

By Christian Borman

Bucky Badger does 65 pushups in front of the crowd during the University of Wisconsin 68-17 football game win over Bowling Green at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COMUgrid21 38ofx Spt Wood
Bucky Badger does 65 pushups in front of the crowd during the University of Wisconsin 68-17 football game win over Bowling Green at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COMUgrid21 38ofx Spt Wood /
facebooktwitterreddit

Where will Wisconsin football be bowling this year? After Week 6 of college football, here’s where the experts predict the Badgers will play.

Wisconsin football has yet to play a game, but they are still in many expert’s bowl game predictions. The Badgers are a favorite to win the Big Ten West division and face Ohio State yet again in the Big Ten Championship on December 19.

ESPN’s Power Football Index (FPI) gives Wisconsin football a 78.3% chance to win the Big Ten West, a 30.3% chance to win the Big Ten, and a 38.8% chance to make the College Football Playoff. There are some high expectations for this Wisconsin football team, despite having a freshman at the quarterback position.

A lot of college football writers around the country agree with that sentiment. Let’s take a look at the latest bowl game predictions around the internet.

Jerry Palm from CBS Sports: Citrus Bowl vs. Auburn (Jan. 1)

Erick Smith from USA Today: Peach Bowl vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 1)

Kyle Bonagura from ESPN: Peach Bowl vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 1)

Mark Schlabach from ESPN: Citrus Bowl vs. Auburn (Jan. 1)

Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report: Outback Bowl vs. Florida (Jan. 1)

College Football News: Fiesta Bowl vs. USC (Jan. 2)

These projections all predict Wisconsin will have a successful season. Having a New Years bowl game is always a sign of a great year. They also tell me that Wisconsin isn’t expected to win the Big Ten, which is understandable because Ohio State has an extremely talented team this year. They are a popular pick to go to the College Football Playoff and the National Championship.

I would argue that if Wisconsin were to meet Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, Wisconsin would have a decent shot to win. The last two times Wisconsin has played the Buckeyes in the championship game, Wisconsin gave them a good game.

In 2017, Wisconsin kept the game close and was within three points in the fourth quarter. They stayed in the game despite Jonathan Taylor rushing for just 41 yards and Alex Hornibrook throwing two interceptions without a touchdown. If you have a Jack Coan-caliber QB in that game, Wisconsin wins.

Last season, Wisconsin had a two-touchdown lead at halftime before the Buckeyes got hot and completely took over in the second half.

So as of right now, it looks like the Badgers are likely to be bowling on a New Year’s Day bowl game, but playing in the CFP isn’t out of the realm of possibility either.