Badgers predictions: Game 7 at Iowa

By foxsports
Published

In any other year, I wonder if Wisconsin would be considered the favorite -- by Vegas, by national analysts, by fans -- in a game at Iowa.

But in 2016 that's where we are. The Badgers are coming off two tough but close losses to top-five ranked teams. Iowa is 5-2 but really hasn't played anyone.

Add it together, and the vast majority (but not all) think 10th-ranked Wisconsin will win this one on the road.

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

The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 20, Iowa 14.

We have a split among the Big Ten Network analysts. Tom Dienhart sees it Iowa 17, Wisconsin 14 while Brent Yarina has it Wisconsin 23, Iowa 20.

Jeff Bartl of Campus Insiders: Wisconsin 17, Iowa 13. "Last year's meeting ended with Iowa grinding out a 10-6 win. It won't be that low-scoring, but don't expect many points. Ultimately the Badgers will pull it out behind a 100-yard day from Clement."

The Whatifsports.com simulation has an average score of Wisconsin 26.7, Iowa 22.4 with the Badgers winning 60.9 percent of the time.

All four Athlon Sports analysts have Wisconsin winning.

Marc Morehouse of the Cedar Rapids Gazette: Wisconsin 19, Iowa 16.

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 27, Iowa 16. "Wisconsin will struggle and sputter in the first half, but the defensive pressure will ramp up in the second half forcing an awful finish for Hawkeye QB C.J. Beathard, who'll have a hard time getting comfortable behind a banged up line that won't be able to handle the relentless Bucky pass rush."

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

The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel: Wisconsin 19, Iowa 7. "Wisconsin has a defense. Not that the Hawkeyes need a lot of help to score low."

The Sports Xchange: Iowa 27, Wisconsin 24.

J.P. Scott of Athlon Sports: Iowa 23, Wisconsin 13. "A sluggish start by the Badgers, a couple of mental mistakes by a freshman quarterback and a conservative, classic Iowa offensive attack will decide this game."

Rich Cirminiello of Campus Insiders: Wisconsin 24, Iowa 17. "Tight, competitive and hard-hitting, but Wisconsin remains viable in the Big Ten title chase."

Brian Pedersen of Bleacher Report: Wisconsin 23, Iowa 20. "From a ranking standpoint, this counts as Wisconsin's easiest league game so far, following trips to Michigan State and Michigan and its home OT loss to Ohio State. Iowa hasn't won at home since Sept. 10 and has had its four Big Ten games (against unimpressive foes) decided by 35 total points."

All four analysts at The Sporting News are taking Wisconsin over Iowa.

Five of the seven CBSSports.com analysts are picking Wisconsin to win.

Sean Martin of the Albany Times-Union: Wisconsin 20, Iowa 10.

Bill Connelly of SB Nation: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 27.6, Iowa 20.9, giving the Badgers a 65.1 percent chance of winning.

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

Each of the five writers at MLive.com think Wisconsin will win.

Rob Howe of Hawkeye Nation: Iowa 17, Wisconsin 16.

All three analysts at FootballScoop.com went with Wisconsin as the winner.

 

 

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