The Wisconsin Badgers kick off their 2016 season this weekend at Lambeau Field–and I’m not filled with as much optimism for this year as I have been in the past. A killer schedule combined with the first real effects of the poor recruiting from the Gary Anderson years have the Cardinal and White looking at a down year. Let’s get to the annual predictions:
Week 1 vs LSU at Lambeau–Wisconsin doesn’t have the best of records against SEC opponents in recent years–and Tigers running back Leonard Fornette is a beast. If the Badgers can contain him–and force LSU’s shaky quarterback to throw a lot, they can keep it close. Wisconsin loses 24-20.
Week 2 vs Akron. The Zips are not that good. Badgers roll 37-17.
Week 3 vs Georgia State. This will be one of those games that has fans at Camp Randall antsy well in to the 4th quarter–as the Badgers get caught looking ahead to the start of the Big Ten schedule the next week. Bucky edges out the Panthers 34-30.
Week 4 at Michigan State. The Spartans will also be down this year with a new quarterback at the helm–but Wisconsin seems to have no mojo in East Lansing. Costly turnovers will sink the Badgers in this one 21-13.
Week 5 at Michigan. Back to back road games and coming off a loss, Wisconsin doesn’t look much sharper at the Big House and lose to the Wolverines (who will win the Big Ten this year, by the way) 38-27.
Week 6 vs Ohio State. Who put together this Big Ten schedule? Badgers fans go into full panic mode following a painfully close loss to the Buckeyes at Camp Randall 34-31.
Week 7 at Iowa. With the media wondering if Wisconsin will even make a bowl game this year, the Badgers somehow find a way to be an Iowa team that I think will be down this year, 24-20.
Week 8 vs Nebraska. Feeling good coming off the road win at Iowa City, Wisconsin uses the friendly confines of Camp Randall to roll over Nebraska 30-10.
Week 9 at Northwestern. Ryan Field has become a house of horrors for the Badgers the past two decades, as shootouts have never seemed to go their way. The same thing happens again as Bucky gets outgunned 48-44.
Week 10 vs Illinois. Finally, one of the crappy teams in the conference! Badgers beat the Illini 38-7.
Week 11 at Purdue. In front of what will likely be a nearly empty stadium in West Lafayette, Wisconsin wins 23-10.
Week 12 vs Minnesota. Now is the time that I like to remind everyone that Wisconsin has retained Paul Bunyan’s Axe for TWELVE CONESECUTIVE YEARS–AND 19 OF THE LAST 21 YEARS!!! And there is no way Goldy is coming into Camp Randall on Senior Day and taking it this year. 13 YEARS IN A ROW!!!!! Wisconsin 70, Minnesota 0
With a 7-5 record, Wisconsin makes its first trip to the Quick Lane Bowl in beautiful downtown Detroit, the ultimate December destination. In a game that draws about 8 fans at Ford Field, Wisconsin outmuscles Central Michigan for a 37-27 victory.
Let’s hope I’m wrong about that early Big Ten schedule–but I doubt I will be.
