Looking to bounce back from a 28-13 loss to Penn State last week, Wisconsin football will enter a tough road environment in Iowa tomorrow night. Kinnick Stadium is a brutal place for home teams especially at night. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 40-14 win over Northwestern. Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 PM on NBC, Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
The Wisconsin Football Defense Will See a New Quarterback
The Badger defense will see Iowa’s dual threat quarterback tomorrow night. Junior Brendan Sullivan relieved Cade McNamara last week after an injury took him out of the game. Sullivan has been used a ton near the goal line and his athleticism has made a difference. The Luke Fickell staff has not seen Sullivan, but veterans on this roster have from his days at Northwestern.
The Wisconsin football defense has to make Sullivan beat them with his arms. He hasn’t had to throw much under pressure this year and his arm is not the best part of his game. If this defense lets the running game run all over them like last year, it will be a long night.
Can the Badgers Take Away Kaleb Johnson?
The Iowa game plan is really simple. They want to run junior running back Kaleb Johnson again and again. He already has more rushing yards (1,144) than Iowa does passing the ball.
Johnson is a home run threat, but can also run in between the tackles and knock over any second level defender. Iowa will not hide from it. They will dare this Wisconsin front seven to stop Johnson. It’s worked all year so far.
Can the Wisconsin Offense Move the Ball?
On the other hand, this Iowa defense is full of seniors who have played a ton of college football. They are a stout unit and while they have not been their normal self this year, they can still make life tough on any opposing Big Ten offense.
This is going to be a hard night for players like Tawee Walker and Braedyn Locke. Locke has been a turnover machine this year and Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker is likely licking his chops. This could be a tough night for the Badgers offense.
Prediction
The rivalry between Iowa and Wisconsin is one of best in the Big Ten. These games always come down to one play, one possession, and one turnover. As a Big Ten fan, I always appreciate this game on the Wisconsin football schedule.
I’m looking at Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke and how he responds from last week. He didn’t cost the game by any stretch, but his pick sick while up 10-7 changed the entire momentum of the game. It’s a throw you can’t and should not make. He knows that and now he sees another veteran defense tomorrow night.
I think there is only so much this running game will be able to do. It’s just the respect you have to give this Hawkeyes defense. Braedyn Locke is going to have to make throws and take care of the ball. Otherwise, this defense will be on the field all night last week.
Will Sullivan or Locke make the throw or commit the turnover? I think that’s what this game comes down too. This would be be the best win in the Luke Fickell era should Wisconsin football win. As much as I want to say the Badgers will bounce back, I don’t trust Locke in the second half. As I said last week, it’s not a matter if he throws an interception, it feel like a matter of when. Neither offense will score much, but a late Wisconsin football turnover decides this game.
Iowa 24 Wisconsin 20
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