BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Purdue

The Wisconsin football team hits the road for their first Big Ten Conference game of the season. They will head to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers, an opponent the Badgers have defeated each of the past 16 games.

Make sure you check out BadgerNotes for all the pregame content leading up to the game Friday night. But if you are looking for predictions for the game, you are in the right place.

So here we go, Week 4 BadgersNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin vs. Purdue

BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Purdue

Christian Borman (2-1): Wisconsin 37-30

I think Wisconsin’s offense is probably sick of hearing about all their slow starts. It’s going to be helpful that they will be playing Purdue, who is giving up over 30 points per game (106th out of 133 FBS teams) to help get their offense rolling early. Someone, whether it’s Allen, Mellusi, or Mordecai, is going to go off. Hopefully, all of the above. 

Defensively, I’m a little more worried. I think Washington State and Georgia Southern may have laid out a game plan on moving the ball on the Badgers. Spread them out and make the linebackers cover in space. Dink and dunk down the field. The key for the Badgers is to bend but not break. Keep teams out of the end zone and force some turnovers. If they hadn’t forced six turnovers last week, I think the game would have been closer. I don’t think the 21-point victory was truly reflective of how close the game actually was. 

At the end of the day, I think the Badgers win a higher-scoring game than we are used to between these two teams. Wisconsin football starts the year 1-0 in conference play. 

Dillon Graff (2-1): Wisconsin 34-24

Wisconsin football won by 21 last week and covered for the first time this season — but the victory left something to be desired. Mike Tressel’s defense forced six takeaways but also allowed 445 yards to Georgia Southern — which left me puzzled about who they are. 

The problem entering the Friday night matchup against Purdue is that they like to slang the rock — and the Badgers’ secondary has been susceptible to giving up chunk plays. That means the Boilermakers have a decent chance to make this game closer than it should be because of Hudson Card.  

If Braelon Allen is closer to 100% entering this week’s game, UW can win the Big Ten opener by more than one score. The Badgers offense has looked its best when they run to open up the pass. If BA is still dinged up, this game could be too close for comfort; only time will tell. 

I’ll try being an optimist — and predict that Wisconsin football figures it out on offense this week and controls most of the game on the road. 

Jake Maier (2-1): Wisconsin 31-24

Dylan Buboltz (2-1): Wisconsin 27-17

It’s hard to win on the road in college football. It’s even harder to go into a night game on the road in the Big Ten. I’ll be looking to see if the Wisconsin football defense can carry their momentum after forcing 6 turnovers last week. Purdue is coming off of 4 turnovers on offense against Syracuse.

The Purdue defense is giving up 30 points a game so far against a not-so-tough schedule. Assuming the offense takes care of the ball and can move down the field both running and passing, I think they leave West Lafayette with a win.

Ryan Eilers (2-1): Wisconsin 42-20

After three weeks we still wonder what this team will be this year. Typically, three data points will give you the early trend line to project but I just don’t think that applies to this team. Not this year. The boys are learning and growing in these new systems and gaining more and more with every rep. This team is just moments away from blowing the top off!

I have called for Wisconsin to win in convincing fashion every week and that hasn’t happened just yet. If nothing else — I am very stubborn. I can’t deviate from that process now. I’m going to continue to be wrong until I am right. I think this is the week that the offense clicks and we turn this minivan into a Maserati.

Badgers win 42-20!

Kedrick Stumbris (2-0): Wisconsin 31-24

(Hudson) Cards on the table: this game spooks me. A primetime game on the road, regardless of the opponent, is a challenge. Particularly when that rival has something to prove. Purdue has not beaten Wisconsin football since 2003 and has not done so at home since 1997. An almost impossible stat to believe.

This is not a must-win game for Wisconsin football to win the division. However, this is a must-win game to prevent some profoundly negative vibes to start the Luke Fickell era in Madison.

Despite the defensive prowess of first-year head coach Ryan Walters, the Boilermakers defense is off to a rough start. The unit ranks 102nd in the country in overall scoring defense. It has also allowed opponents to sustain drives ranking 116th in total first-downs allowed and third-down conversions. This could be the opportunity Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo needs to get right against a division foe. After watching Syracuse rush for over 300 yards against Purdue on Friday, Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen must be salivating.

Purdue’s passing attack is where this game gets spooky. Hudson Card’s 825 yards on 7.5 yards per attempt is downright impressive. Against a Wisconsin football secondary that has looked questionable at best this season, he could carve up the Badger’s defense. Purdue wide receiver Deion Burks is going to break at least one big play in this one. With 221 yards on just nine catches through three games this season, the high school track athlete is an impressive weapon. He will break one big play, but I believe UW defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s unit will prevent him from getting multiple big plays – just enough to get the win.

Drew Hamm (1-1): Wisconsin 34-17

The Badgers don’t lose to Purdue in football. They just don’t! In honor of this being their 17th straight win over the Boilermakers, I predict that Wisconsin wins by 17, 34-17, and Tanner Mordecai looks the sharpest he’s looked all season. Somebody weird gets an interception for Wisconsin too. Like, maybe a defensive lineman or something. Take it to the bank, baby!

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