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Wisconsin Football: Game-by-game predictions for Badgers in 2022

By Harris Jacobs

Sep 11, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; the Wisconsin Badgers run onto the field prior to the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; the Wisconsin Badgers run onto the field prior to the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin football posted a respectable 9-4 record in 2021, yet it wasn’t enough to win the Big Ten West. Will the Badgers get over the hump in 2022?

The Wisconsin football team enters the 2022 season with the hopes of winning their first Big Ten West title since 2019.

Last season, the Badgers had an elite defense that allowed a mere 16.4 points per game- good for 1st in the Big Ten and 3rd nationwide.

On offense, true freshman Braelon Allen burst onto the scene as one of the nation’s best running backs- tallying over 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns.

However, quarterback play was the Badgers’ Achilles heel. Graham Mertz didn’t have the breakout year that many hoped he would have; he threw for only ten touchdowns along with eleven interceptions- which was tied for the most in the Big Ten.

In order for Wisconsin football to be a legitimate Big Ten title contender this season, Mertz will have to take the next step at quarterback.

In his first two seasons as the Badgers’ starter, the former 4-star recruit has yet to live up to expectations. In 20 career starts, he is only 13-7 and has yet to eclipse 250 yards passing in a game.

However, with another offseason under his belt, Wisconsin football fans are hoping that Mertz’s experience will allow him to break through this year. In 2022, all the pieces around Mertz are in place for the team to have success.

The highly-touted defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is back for another season leading the Badger defense,  which will be anchored by preseason All-American linebacker Nick Herbig.

The Badgers also have one of America’s best backfield tandems in Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi, who combined for over 2000 yards rushing in 2021.

While the Badgers did lose veteran pass-catchers Jake Ferguson, Danny Davis, and Kendric Pryor to the NFL, junior Chimere Dike has shown flashes of potential to be a legitimate no.1 wide receiver.

Wisconsin football also has a plethora of young, talented receivers with sophomore Skyler Bell and UCLA transfer Keontez Lewis.

Ultimately, this season will all be about Graham Mertz, and whether he can be the final piece to the Badger Football puzzle. As we saw last season, even with a strong defense and run game, the quarterback is the ultimate difference maker.

In 2022, Wisconsin football will go as Mertz goes. Here are our game-by-game predictions.

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