BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Georgia Southern

Well, last week sucked, huh? Hopefully, the Wisconsin football team will come out pissed off and take out all their frustration on Georgia Southern, who is visiting Camp Randall tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

Last week, in our BadgerNotes Staff Predictions, we had six staff members predict the Badgers would go to Pullman and exact revenge on the Cougars from last season. One writer felt a little less optimistic about the Badgers’ chances. One out of the seven of us came out smelling like roses while the other six put a ‘1’ in our loss columns.

Let’s all hope for a better outcome this week, yeah?

So here we go, Week 3 BadgersNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin vs. Georgia Southern

BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Georgia Southern

Christian Borman (1-1): 42 – 13

You have to pick Wisconsin football here, right? A team like Wisconsin and a coach like Luke Fickell aren’t going to lose a game like this in a situation like this…right?

I think this game is going to go one of two ways:

1: The Badgers come out slow (again) and they allow Georgia Southern to stay in the game and it’s much closer than it should be. At that point, it’ll be all about who doesn’t make a mistake. The Wisconsin defense hasn’t forced a turnover yet this season, which is pretty worrisome. 

2: The Badgers are pissed about last week and assert their dominance like they should. They are all gas and no breaks and blow the Eagles out of the game, putting it away before halftime. 

I’m going to cautiously choose the latter. If this team is the team we think it is, this game should not be a problem. I don’t care that they run an air raid offense or that Clay Helton is their head coach. The Badgers have much higher-quality players than the Eagles do. If they lose this game, fans will have a good reason to be frustrated and question what is going on in the program.

I don’t think it comes to that though. I think Braelon Allen breaks back out after a dismal game on Saturday. In addition to the Badgers winning, I think Allen rushes for 150+ yards and two touchdowns. Badgers win big. 

Dillon Graff (1-1): Wisconsin 31-14

I want to preface my prediction by saying I want to look stupid when the clock hits zeros. Wisconsin football enters the game as 19-point favorites, and while they SHOULD cover — I haven’t seen anything that makes me feel comfortable that they will. 

Wisconsin’s defense hasn’t started well in either of the first two games and if they’re unable to produce a dominant outing — I’ll go on record saying that’s a significant concern for me entering Big Ten play. I need to see UW’s defense force a turnover.  

The Badgers offense hasn’t looked like they’re comfortable with their new identity yet — and to me, the offense line play is the biggest reason why. 

Give me Wisconsin football to win, but it will look harder than it should. 

Jake Maier (1-1): Wisconsin 38-10

This matchup is a perfect one for Wisconsin to get back on track after a tough loss to Washington State. Low-level competition at home is about all you could ask for. That said, there are some contributors who need to step up. On the offensive end, it would be great to see the tailbacks and o-line to get back on track (I’m looking at you specifically, Jack Nelson). I’m also interested to see how Wisconsin’s secondary fares against Georgia Southern’s passing attack. They’re deep at wide receiver, and their quarterback is nothing to scoff at.

I think this should be a comfortable win, and I’m hoping to see some points from Wisconsin. I’ll go with a 38-10 victory for UW.

Dylan Buboltz (1-1): Wisconsin 38-14

I think this is a get-right game for the Badgers. Georgia Southern is expected to throw the ball a ton- something the UW defense has been used to seeing to this point. I think Braelon Allen is due to have a monster game and I think he’s going to deliver. The passing game looks to be in sync and I think they continue with that.

The defense has yet to force a turnover this year. I think that changes this week. I think they are for multiple turnovers and get right headed into the Big Ten portion of the schedule.

Ryan Eilers (1-1): Wisconsin 58-13

Admittedly, this game has given me some pause unlike any of the others. In all honesty, it’s another game the Badgers should win handily. I would be lying if I said it didn’t give me flashbacks to the 2017 tilt against Florida Atlantic. Thankfully Wisconsin prevailed 23-17 in a tight ballgame. If you recall, Florida Atlantic was a Group of 5 school led by former Southern Cal Head Coach Lane Kiffin. Due to the impending storm, Kiffin and the Owls had to extend their stay in Madison due to Hurricane Irma.

Fast forward to 2023 — it’s another Group of 5 team led by a former Southern Cal head coach. Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton brings his team to Madison during another imminent storm. Unfortunately for Eagles and Helton, Hurricane Bucky is forecasted to make landfall on Saturday morning. I am not a meteorologist — but by the looks of the Twitter doppler this category-five storm has been brewing since the Wisconsin spring game. Batten down the hatches — the points storm is coming! Badgers win 58-13.

Kedrick Stumbris (1-0): Wisconsin 45-21

Wisconsin should bounce back against Georgia Southern. Last week, the Eagles allowed 35 points and 477 yards of offense against UAB. Against that defense, I am confident the Badgers offense will have their best performance on the season so far. Although UW has started slowly, the Dairy Raid might come out in full force.

If I have one concern in this game, it is Wisconsin’s ability to slow down Georgia Southern’s offense. Georgia Southern quarterback Davis Brin can air out the ball. He has passed for 562 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions through two weeks. That production, however impressive, did come against a lower level of competition.

I expect the final margin of victory will be closer than the game actually feels. The Eagles may get some scores in garbage time inflating the number on the total. Badgers win 45-21.

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