With just about four hours until kick, the staff at BadgersWire got together to give you our impressions of how to play this game in Vegas and of who ultimately comes away with the Big Ten West lead:
Ben: We have before us a classic Big Ten, Wisconsin vs. Northwestern low-scoring slugfest. Both teams enter Ryan Field undefeated and with impressive performances under their belt. The Badgers, though, undoubtedly have more talent at positions where they need it most and should (key word: should) come away with a victory. This is Wisconsin vs. Northwestern, though, so anything can happen. I, though, think Graham Mertz outplays Peyton Ramsey and makes a few key throws that tip the scales.
Wisconsin 17, Northwestern 13
Northwestern +7.5, Under 44
Asher: The battle for Big Ten West supremacy is going to be ugly. Really, really ugly. With high winds, Ryan Field grass that is never cut short enough, and two of the best defenses in college football, expect a slugfest. A slugfest that the Badgers ultimately win because their defense outplays the Northwestern defense.
If Wisconsin runs the football as well as they did in Ann Arbor, and wins the turnover battle, then this one won’t be particularly close. If it is a down to the wire finish, then expect whoever is on defense last to come away with a win.
Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 14
Wisconsin -7.5, Under 44