Wisconsin at USC Game Predictions

The Badgers will head to Los Angeles this weekend to take on USC following a much needed bye week. It will be the first start of the season for quarterback Braedyn Locke, who takes over for an injured Tyler Van Dyke. Wisconsin will have a tough test on the road as the Trojans are the 13th ranked team in the country, although they are coming off of a tight loss to Michigan. So how do our writers see the game going? Let's get into some predictions.

Everyone is on USC this week. Before the season a lot of fans might have looked at this as a true 50/50 game. But after a slow start and the injury to Van Dyke, USC is favored by double-digits and not many Badger fans are expecting an upset. The defense just hasn't been good enough, and Locke hasn't really shown enough in the few games he's played to feel very confident the team will go into L.A. and come home with a win. USC is vulnerable to the run though, allowing 290 yards to Michigan, so if the Badgers have chance in this one it'll come on the ground.

The game also feels like a major tipping point in the season. A win and some momentum could be enough to carry the Badgers to seven or eight wins and bowl game. A loss and sliding to 2-2 somehow already feels like the season is slipping away, especially considering Oregon and Penn State still loom. The Badgers haven't missed out on a bowl game since 2001, but a bad loss to USC could put that in jeopardy.