EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 27^th, the (5-2) Wisconsin Badgers will be on the road to take on the (4-3) Northwestern Wildcats.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Wisconsin 30.3 – Northwestern 23.4 with an over/under of 53.7.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Wisconsin 38 – Northwestern 24.

Mark is predicting a final score of Wisconsin 34 – Northwestern 20.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Northwestern 296.3 YPG > Wisconsin 179.1 YPG

Rushing offense: Wisconsin 282.1 YPG > Northwestern 78.1 YPG

Scoring offense: Wisconsin 33.0 PPG > Northwestern 24.3 PPG

Scoring defense: Wisconsin 20.0 PPG > Northwestern 24.6 PPG

Passing defense: Wisconsin 187.4 YPG > Northwestern 229.7 YPG

Rushing defense: Northwestern 143.3 YPG > Wisconsin 168.7 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Wisconsin +0.7 > Northwestern -0.4

Summary:

Wisconsin is (5-2) with wins over Western Kentucky, New Mexico, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois.  They were upset by BYU 24-21 in week three and beaten 38-13 by Michigan in week six.  The Badgers rank 42^nd in points per game (33.0) and 25^th in scoring defense (20.0 PPG).  Quarterback Alex Hornibrook has completed 59% of his passes for 1,251 yards with 11 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.  Running back Jonathan Taylor is the nation’s second leading rusher with 1,109 yards to go along with his 8 touchdowns.  Wisconsin, as a team, is averaging a fantastic 6.3 yards per carry.  The Badgers’ defense ranks 29^th against the pass (187.4 YPG) and 79^th against the run (168.7 YPG).  Wisconsin has the 19^th best turnover margin (+0.7) in the country.

Northwestern is (4-3) with victories over Purdue, #20 Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers.  They were defeated by Duke, Akron, and #14 Michigan in week’s 2-4.  The Wildcats rank 104^th in points per game (24.3) and 57^th in scoring defense (24.6 PPG).  Quarterback Clayton Thorson has completed 61% of his passes for 1,905 yards with 9 touchdowns to 7 interceptions.  Northwestern is one of the worst team’s in the country at running the football evidenced by their dismal 2.3 yards per carry.  Flynn Nagel leads the team in receiving with 693 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Wildcats’ defense ranks 76^th against the pass (229.7 YPG) and 49^th against the run (143.3 YPG).  Northwestern’s turnover margin (-0.4) ranks 94^th out of 130 teams.

Bottom Line:

Northwestern is a well-coached team with a strong defense but scoring points has been an issue all season.  Wisconsin has the advantage in the trenches and heavy doses of Jonathan Taylor should be able to wear down the Wildcats defense over the course of the game.  Add in the fact that Northwestern has been prone to untimely turnovers, and it’s easy to pick the Badgers on the road.

Wisconsin wins 28-21

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