Wisconsin Football: Offensive stat predictions for Badgers vs. EMU

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Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (6) rushes with the football as Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) defends during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs

Chez Mellusi

Chez Mellusi showed us he was the bell cow back for the Wisconsin football team last weekend. Luckily for us, he looks the part. Now I’m not saying he’s at the level of Jonathan Taylor, but he was the best back of either team on Saturday. He carried the ball 31 times for 121 yards and scored Wisconsin’s only touchdown. The only blemish on his day was the botched handoff with Graham Mertz in the red zone. But outside of that, Mellui looked pretty darn good.

The Wisconsin offensive line should dominate this game. When that happens, Wisconsin running backs run free. I think he is going to get the ball early and often against the Eagles on Saturday and maybe even bust a couple of big runs before his backups take over.

Prediction: 21 carries for 182 yards and 2 TD’s; 3 receptions for 29 yards

Isaac Guerendo

Surprisingly, Guerendo was the second back into the game on Saturday, not Jalen Berger. On this week’s depth chart, he and Berger are both considered the second back. After his performance against Penn State where he ran 13 times for 56 yards, it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a successful day on Saturday as well. But I also think we’ll see more Jalen Berger too, taking some carries from Guerendo.

Prediction: 14 carries for 72 yards

Jalen Berger

After being questioned about Berger’s absence from Week 1, it wouldn’t surprise me if Chryst got Berger involved early in this game. I think he’ll get a bulk of the snaps late in the game and puts up some solid numbers.

Prediction: 18 carries for 96 yards and 1 TD; 1 reception 12 yards