Nebraska-Michigan St., Maryland-Ohio St. Highlight Week 6 Vegas Big Ten Predictions
Saturday Blitz Vegas Big Ten Predictions Week 6
No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers at Northwestern Wildcats
Line: Wisconsin by 8
This would appear to be a blowout, but don’t call it just yet. Wisconsin has played great ever since that heartbreaking loss to LSU to open the season. Melvin Gordon has joined Todd Gurley and Ameer Abdullah in the Heisman running backs conversation, and he has torched teams. There’s no reason for the Badgers to deviate from that on Saturday. Use a heavy dose of Gordon, and let Corey Clement get some action as well. Meanwhile, Tanner McEvoy will have to make some nice plays throwing the football, much more than he did against LSU. He’s shown some improvement, and Saturday will put that to a true test.
Northwestern, meanwhile looks like it has found its rhythm after an 0-2 start. The Wildcats flat-out embarrassed Penn State in a surprise victory, as the Nittany Lions had all of their luck run out on them in just one night, but the Wildcats deserve credit for playing great defense. That defense has to show up Saturday. Gordon will get his yards, but if they can limit the rushing attack and force McEvoy to throw the football, they have the personnel to frustrate him. That would be enough to have a chance at pulling off the upset.
Prediction
Wisconsin will not get any passing game going, but it won’t matter. Unlike against LSU, the Badgers defense will be able to keep Northwestern from moving the football, and they’ll just run it down Northwestern’s throat. This game will be a very comfortable win for Wisconsin on the road.
Wisconsin: 31 Northwestern: 10