It’s hard to believe, but the Wisconsin Football season begins next weekend! On September 2, the Badgers will open up their 2023 season at home against the Buffalo Bulls. 12 games are on the schedule this year. Nine are Big Ten games and three are non-conference games.
Over the course of the week, I will be predicting how Wisconsin will do in every game on their schedule. Today, I look at three non-conference games. Wisconsin will host Buffalo in week one and Georgia Southern in week three. They will travel to Washington State in week two. Here is how I see the non-conference schedule playing out.
September 2- Wisconsin Football vs Buffalo
Ncaa Guaranteed Rate Bowl
The Luke Fickell era will open up at home with a 2:30 kickoff. I would be shocked if this was not a sell out crowd. There has been so much hype over the last nine months with the hire of Fickell. This will be the day fans will get to finally see the hype and the new air raid offense.
Looking at Buffalo, the defense gave up almost 27 points a game and five yards a carry last year. I think this is a game Wisconsin can establish the running game early and often. As much as I want to see the air raid offense, I think that will take a little time to get where they want to be.
With a new offense comes some growing pains and I don’t think the Badgers will be an exception. Expect some hiccups and some mistakes. That’s okay, however. At the ens of the day, Wisconsin still cruises to a 1-0 start
Wisconsin win. Record: 1-0
September 9- Wisconsin Football at Washington State
It’s hard to travel this early in the season. It’s even harder to travel to the West Coast. As a player and coach, you have to get adjusted to the time zone change and possibly some altitude changes. It’s not an easy ask.
Revenge will certainly be on the minds of this Wisconsin Football team. The Cougars came into Madison last season and beat the Badgers 17-14. It was an ugly game for Wisconsin. Turnovers and multiple missed field goals were a huge part. It was a game Wisconsin gave away.
The Washington State duo of quarterback Cam Ward and former Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson return for their final seasons. They will need to be at the top of the scouting report and will present some issues for the Wisconsin defense. The Cougars also have a solid defense.
This will be a low scoring game and whoever can take care of the ball better will win. As long as Wisconsin does what they need to do, they should escape Pullman with a close win.
Wisconsin wins. Record: 2-0
September 16- Wisconsin Football vs Georgia Southern
Ncaa Guaranteed Rate Bowl
This should be an easy final non-conference game. It’s the last chance to clean up anything minor and hopefully get some younger players on the field. I don’t see an issue with Georgia Southern before the Big Ten slate begins. Expect the Badgers to roll.
Wisconsin wins. Record: 3-0
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