Badgers predictions: Game 10 vs. Illinois

By foxsports
Published

Well, the Wisconsin Badgers made it through their schedule gauntlet.

Now, back to the days of big-time Vegas spreads and expected victories.

There's only three regular-season games remaining (!!) and this Saturday the Badgers come off their brutal stretch to face a strugglng Illinois team. So little surprise at the predictions for this one.

Also, with this being a non-top 25 matchup (and Illinois not being very good), there are a few less predictions this time around. But still, always interesting to see the projected scores.

Here are this week's predictions from around the web and Twitter:

The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 31, Illinois 7.

Both Big Ten Network analysts pick Wisconsin to win. Tom Dienhart sees it Wisconsin 29, Illinois 0 while Brent Yarina has it Wisconsin 41, Illinois 3.

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 34, Illinois 10. "The Illini have allowed 170 rushing yards or more against everyone but Murray State. They'll give up 250 as the Badgers keep on rolling."

All four Athlon Sports analysts have Wisconsin winning.

Jeff Bartl of Campus Insiders: Wisconsin 31, Illinois 7. "Hornibrook and Houston each throw a touchdown pass on drives Clement gets into the red zone, and the Badgers intercept George twice in an easy victory."

The Whatifsports.com simulation has an average score of Wisconsin 30.7, Illinois 22.0 with the Badgers winning 73.3 percent of the time.

The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel: Wisconsin 41, Illinois 0. "Wisconsin has the best defense this side of Alabama's."

The Sports Xchange: Wisconsin 45, Illinois 14.

All seven analysts at USAToday.com pick Wisconsin to win.

All seven CBSSports.com analysts are picking Wisconsin to win but only three think the Badgers will cover a 26.5-point spread.

Brian Pedersen of Bleacher Report: Wisconsin 31, Illinois 13. " Wisconsin seems resigned to winning low-scoring games with its defense leading the charge, but at some point the Badgers will erupt against an inferior opponent. Enter Illinois, which has been outgained in its last four games, including both its league victories."

Sean Martin of the Albany Times-Union: Wisconsin 30, Illinois 7.

Bill Connelly of SB Nation: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 35.9, Illinois 10.5, giving the Badgers a 92.9 percent chance of winning.

Josh Liskiewitz of Pro Football Focus: Wisconsin 34, Illinois 10.

All five of the ESPN.com Big Ten contributors picked Wisconsin to win.

All five writers at MLive.com think Wisconsin will win.

 

 

 

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns