2018 Football Preview – Big Ten – Badgers
Looking for 2018 Wisconsin Badgers predictions? The Wisconsin Badgers are equipped to make another undefeated dash into the college playoffs, but this time around they need to actually win the Big Ten. With an elite rushing attack and a stout defense, Wisconsin is hungering for a playoff spot.
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2018-18 College Football Preview – Wisconsin Badgers
Head Coach: Paul Chryst
2017 Record: 12-1
Wisconsin Badgers Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +2500
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Wisconsin controlled their destinies last year and failed, can they get over the hump this year?
2018 Wisconsin Badgers Predictions: Team Strengths
Elite Run Game:
Good luck trying to stop…contain this vaunted Wisconsin rushing attack that averaged 222.9 rushing yards per game a season ago.
All five starters are back on the offensive line and they’ll be blocking for stud RB Jonathan Taylor who rushed for 1,977 yards last season.
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They’ll also be returning backups Bradick Shaw, Chris James, and Taiwan Deal, so expect this Wisconsin squad to pound the rock mercilessly.
Defense Is Becoming The Norm:
Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator has done wonders for this Wisconsin defense as they posted some elite numbers ranking 2nd in the nation in total defense, 3rd in scoring defense, and 1st covering against the pass.
This is going to be another stingy defense that will be led by a deep group of talented linebackers, starting with their leader Ryan Connelly.
Connelly and T.J. Edwards will man the middle, while Andrew Van Ginkel will be causing chaos from the outside.
If Leonhard can coach up the defensive line, this linebacking corp has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten.
2018 Wisconsin Badgers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Unproven Secondary:
The back-end will be manned by All-Big Ten SS D’Cota Dixon, but that is where the prestigiousness ends.
With the early departure of Nick Nelson, this secondary lost three of their starters from last year.
The only other secondary player with a sliver of experience is Donate Carriere-Williams, so it seems trial-and-error will be the technique to start.
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Of course you don’t really want to be experimenting too much when you open against the No. 7 passing offense from last year in Western Kentucky.
Limit Turnovers:
Wisconsin’s game plan is simple; run the football, control the clock, and play stingy defense. There is a kryptonite though, and that is the dreaded turnover.
Grind-it-out tempo means less possession as it is, and when you find yourself in a dog fight, turnovers can easily be the deciding factor of winning or losing the game.
Wisconsin gave the ball away 24 times last season, but thanks to a favorable schedule, it didn’t affect them as much…except for that Ohio State game.
It starts with Hornibrook who threw 15 interceptions including two crucial ones against Ohio State. In all but three contests he threw at least one interception, so this needs to be corrected.
Wisconsin Badgers Prediction: 10-2
Not having to face Ohio State is nice, but if they expect to get over the hump and make it to the playoffs, they’ll most likely face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
Unfortunately, as talented as this Wisconsin squad is, they have a tricky schedule after getting a cake-walk last season.
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They must go on the road to take on Iowa, Michigan, North Western, and Penn State. Not to mention those BYU and Nebraska contests could be trap games.
I could easily see two losses out of those contests, and that is how I’ll call it.
2018 Wisconsin Badgers Football Schedule
- 8/31/18 9:00 PM ET WKU
- 9/8/18 12:00 PM ET UNM
- 9/15/18 3:30 PM ET BYU
- 9/22/18 TBD @IOWA
- 10/6/18 TBD NEB
- 10/13/18 TBD @MICH
- 10/20/18 12:00 PM ET ILL
- 10/27/18 TBD @NW
- 11/3/18 TBD RUTG
- 11/10/18 TBD @PSU
- 11/17/18 TBD @PUR
- 11/24/18 TBD MINN
What do you think about our 2018 Wisconsin Badgers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
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