The Wisconsin Badgers are headed into their most important game of the season. The game in which even Barry Alvarez said a win would "legitimize them." It's a primetime game in which the nation is looking in wonder at which team is for real and which team is the imposter. No. 12 UCLA has a big win over Oregon, and Wisconsin took down Penn State and dominated Michigan State. Which of these teams is for real?
We've discussed a lot of that throughout the week, but now, let's make some really bold predictions. To classify as a bold prediction, it has to be on the "unlikely" part of the spectrum or a narrative that we've yet to see happen this season. None of these are safe, but that's the point.
1. Abu Sama III leads all (both teams) running backs in rushing yards
Sama has been in and out of games most of the season, and yet he's looking ready to be back against UCLA. He's going up against arguably the Big Ten's best running back, UCLA's Wayne Knight. Yet, it will be Sama who comes out on top in the running back rushing battle this week.
Let's get even more specific: Sama has 110+ rushing yards on the day, and Knight will be under 100.
2. Jaylon Domingeaux records an explosive touchdown
It looks like Wisconsin's Jaylon Domingeaux will make his debut this week. It's the first time Wisconsin has had him all season. He was considered a WR1 in the summer and a go-to receiver, but his injury has kept him on the sidelines. It's hard to know how involved he will be, but the bold prediction is that he scores his first Wisconsin touchdown against UCLA. Not only that, but it's an explosive one (20+ yards).
3. Wisconsin wins the turnover battle
UCLA caused Oregon to turn the ball over seven times last week. UCLA, though, is also prone to its own turnovers. So, they can generate them on both sides of the ball, for good or for ill. Wisconsin also against Penn State struggled to hold onto the ball. That game would have been a lot more lopsided if Badger quarterback Colton Joseph didn't gift the Nittany Lions 14 points.
So, this prediction is that Wisconsin will win the turnover battle against a team that has enjoyed creating a ton of them. And it was the primary recipe for beating the Ducks last week. If Wisconsin wins the turnover battle, they win the game.
4. Wisconsin shuts down Wayne Knight for his first frustrating game of the season
Knight is dynamic and has generated an insane 7.7 yards per carry this season. He's had three straight 100+ yard games, and the game before that was at 97. So he's not used to struggling through games. He also hasn't seen a defense like Wisconsin's. The Badgers have Knight and the other UCLA backs circled, and Fickell has already talked about how he knows they like to get to the edge, and containment will be a big key to stopping the run.
Wisconsin is going against the backup quarterback, so they theoretically can stack the box, limit the runs, and make the backup beat them or turn the ball over. This bold prediction is that Wisconsin shuts down Knight for the first time this season.
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