BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Ohio State

It’s here. The biggest game on the Wisconsin Badgers football schedule.

The Badgers are looking to avenge the beatdown they received from the Buckeyes last year at the Shoe when they lost 52-21.

Luckily for the Badgers, C.J. Stroud is no longer on the team. But they will still have to deal with Marvin Harrison Jr. and the rest of the highly-talented offense for the Buckeyes.

It’s a big primetime matchup for the Badgers. They come in as 15.5-point underdogs at home. Can they pull off the huge upset?

At least one BadgerNotes writer believes they can pull it off. What about the rest?

BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Ohio State

Christian Borman (5-2): Ohio State 31-20 

I want to pick the Wisconsin football team so badly here. Maybe if they were at full strength and their quarterback wasn’t entering this game with one career start under his belt I’d be more inclined to pick the Badgers, but I think this Ohio State team is just too deep and talented right now.

You can bet the Buckeyes are going to focus on shutting down Braelon Allen and force Braedyn Locke to beat them. Ohio State has the horses to do it, this isn’t Illinois.

At the end of the day, I think Wisconsin gets a late score to cover the 14-point spread, but I just don’t see the Badgers coming out on top.

Dillon Graff (5-2): Ohio State 31-17 

Last weekend’s comeback win over Bret Bielema and the Illini Fighting Illini on the road was incredible for so many reasons.

Braedyn Locke led the Badgers offense to 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, capped off by a touchdown pass to a backup left tackle.

pic.twitter.com/lVMhWO968Z

— Badgers Film Clips (@Badgers_Film) October 22, 2023

How can you not be romantic about football?

But this weekend’s game against Ohio State could get ugly, and if I’m being blunt, I’m not expecting much. If Wisconsin football can execute, minimize mistakes, run the football, and force a few turnovers — maybe the Badgers could make it a game. But that’s a few, one too many “ifs” for me.

Buckeyes win by two scores.

Jake Maier (5-2): Wisconsin 31-27

Dylan Buboltz (5-2): Ohio State 31-20

Can the Badgers pull off a massive upset this weekend? Or do they get blown out at home? I say no to both.

I think this is a closer game than most might think. The Badges have to get to Kyle McCord and make him uncomfortable. With the amazing receiving core and solid running game, McCord needs to commit multiple turnovers. If there’s no pressure on him, it will be a long night.

Despite the Badgers leading the West, they have nothing to lose in this game. I want to see some trick plays and risks taken. I see that being the only way this becomes an upset. This team will fight and I think last week certainly helps. However, I see UW falling 31-20.

Ryan Eilers (5-2): Wisconsin 23-16

Wisconsin football is going through a transition on both sides of the ball. Wisconsin doesn’t have the personnel to keep up with Ohio State on either side of the football.

I have so many more questions than I have answers. Who will cover Marvin Harrison Jr aka Maserati Marv? Who’s going to step up and create havoc plays to throw off Ohio State QB Kyle McCord? Blah, blah, blah.

Wisconsin doesn’t have much of a chance. We just got Luke Fickell and a new staff and this roster is just a bunch of guys. We scored six points versus a bad Iowa team. Maybe, just maybe, all those excuses above are just that — excuses.

My portion of the staff prediction may get old for the reader because spoiler alert: I’m never going to pick the other team no matter the circumstance. We don’t get a trophy for who gets the most games right so I will almost always go full homer.

I have a lot of love for the Wisconsin football program and the players and coaches that wear that motion W. I’m either going to be laughably wrong — or very loud and obnoxiously right. Gimme the Badgers in a DAWG fight 23-16!

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