At the beginning of the season, the Wisconsin football team was one of the favorites to win the Big Ten West and challenge for the conference title. After a 1-3 start, the chances of that happening is dangerously low, but not gone. They have had a tough start to the season and are 0-2 in the conference, but they still have to face each Big Ten West team.
Surprisingly, the Badgers still have a path to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on December 4, 2021. They are just going to need a little help and they can be in control of their own destiny.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the slate of Big Ten games in Week 6 and point out who Wisconsin football fans should be cheering for.
#11 Michigan State at Rutgers – 11:00 – BTN
This one doesn’t affect Wisconsin too much. Both teams are in the Big Ten East division. Wisconsin will face Rutgers in Piscataway in November. Right now, Rutgers is sitting at 3-2, so a win over the #11 Spartans would help boost their resume, and in turn, boost Wisconsin’s if they can leave New Jersey with a win in Week 10.
Every little bit helps, so for Wisconsin’s resume and the love of chaos in college football, Wisconsin fans should cheer for Rutgers in this matchup.
Verdict: Rutgers
Maryland at #7 Ohio State – 11:00 – FOX
Again, this one doesn’t really affect Wisconsin. Maryland got dismantled by Iowa last Friday, so I’m not too confident they will fare much better against the Buckeyes. But, in the interest of chaos in college football, I think I’m not alone in saying we’d love to see Ohio State suffer another loss, especially at home to an inferior opponent.
Verdict: Maryland
Wisconsin at Illinois – 2:30 – BTN
Wisconsin isn’t going to get back into first after one game, but one more loss will likely be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, especially if Illinois is that loss. But if they can string along some wins they will be right back in the thick of things.
This Illinois game couldn’t have come at a better time for the Badgers. The Fighting Illini are probably the weakest conference opponent the Badgers will face this year. Hopefully, with a win in Champagne, the Badgers will build some momentum heading into their next few games.
Verdict: Wisconsin (duh)
#4 Penn State at #3 Iowa – 3:00 – FOX
Outside of the Wisconsin-Illinois game, this Penn State-Iowa game is the one Wisconsin football fans should be keeping an eye on. If Penn State can go into Iowa City and knock off the Hawkeyes, the Badgers would actually be in control of their own destiny, assuming they beat Illinois.
The Badgers and Hawkeyes face off later this season, and if Iowa loses to Penn State and Wisconsin, the Badgers would hold the tiebreaker over the Hawkeyes if they finish the season with the same in-conference record.
Badger fans should be donning any blue and white they have for this game.
Verdict: Penn State
#9 Michigan at Nebraska – 6:30 – ABC
Coming off a loss to Michigan, the Badgers should be cheering for Michigan to make their loss look a little better than it is. Plus, Michigan is playing Big Ten West rival Nebraska.
Wisconsin fans should hope there isn’t an upset brewing, because even though Nebraska may not be a huge contender for the Big Ten West title, they are still currently ahead of Wisconsin in the Big Ten standings.
Verdict: Michigan
If everything works out for the Badgers in Week 6, the Big Ten West standings would look like this:
- Iowa – 5-1 (2-1)
- Minnesota – 3-2 (1-1)
- Purdue – 3-2 (1-1)
- Wisconsin – 2-3 (1-2)
- Nebraska – 3-4 (1-3)
- Illinois – 2-5 (1-3)
- Northwestern – 0-2 (2-3)
Note: Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Indiana are all idle in Week 6.