Wisconsin football is back in action today as the 2-1 Badgers play host to the 5-1 Indiana Hoosiers. It’s been a long pair of weeks since Wisconsin’s ugly loss at Northwestern, and UW has a chance to put that behind them today at Camp Randall.
The No. 12 Hoosiers lost their leader in QB Michael Penix Jr. to a torn ACL last week in their 27-11 win over Maryland, and turn to Jack Tuttle for his first career start under center. With Wisconsin as arguably surprising 14-point Vegas favorites despite looking the way they did last week, here is how our BadgersWire team sees this one playing out:
Ben: The Badgers are 14-point favorites in this contest and it feels way to steep. Even though Indiana comes in with a backup at quarterback, they are a well-coached and extremely talented team. The game will come down to whether Graham Mertz can take care of the football and avoid another multi-turnover performance. I think the Badgers do enough on defense to limit Tuttle, Jalen Berger has a game and Wisconsin wins a close one.
Wisconsin 23 Indiana 21
Asher: Sure, the 14-point favorite number feels way too steep, but this also feels like a spot where Wisconsin is primed for a bounce back. Indiana losing their leader and starting QB, Graham Mertz taking responsibility for his struggles and bouncing back today, and the Badgers getting offensive weapons back in WR’s Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor (we think, you never truly know in 2020) all points in favor of UW. I think Jack Tuttle performs well under center to keep the Hoosiers in it, but Wisconsin stops the run as they have been doing all year and Mertz plays closer to his week one self than his Ryan Field display.
Wisconsin 34 Indiana 21