Wisconsin Football: 5 bold predictions for September

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers walks to the huddle during the first quarter the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Jonathan Taylor has breakout game vs. Iowa

Understandably, predicting Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor to have a breakout game is not a bold prediction in its own. This is where it gets bold.

Due to the nature of the Badgers’ opening schedule, it poses for a lot of opportunities for blowout games, thus preventing the amount of time the starters are on the field. For teams like New Mexico and BYU, stopping the run and Taylor will be the only chance they have of pulling off any kind of upset. This type of focus may open up the passing game a little more and force, for a lack of a better term, the Badgers to beat their opponents through the air.

It will not be until the team’s Sept. 22 game at Iowa where Taylor will have one of his Taylor-like performances.

So, what does it mean to have a breakout game for Jonathan Taylor?

Let’s take a look at last year’s Wisconsin game at Nebraska. It was early in the Big Ten season and one of the team’s first road tests. After a close first half, Taylor took over- eclipsing 200 yards and capitalizing on a couple long runs. This season’s matchup between the Badgers and Hawkeyes could hold a similar feeling, and it will take a big Taylor performance to get out of Iowa City with a victory.

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