Week 3 of the college football season is upon us and for the Badger faithful that means a real tet for the Cardinal and White as Wisconsin heads out west to take on Arizona State.
Arizona State hosts the Badgers as a team that is just outside the Top 25 polls and looking to get in with a win at home on Saturday. Wisconsin comes in ranked 18th or 20th depending on if you listen to the coaches poll or the AP poll.
No doubt this won't be an easy game, but how does our group of prognosticators see this one playing out? Let's get right to it:
Arman: I'm inclined to go with the homer pick because I love Wisconsin and I believe in Coach Andersen and this team. However, history tells me that when Big Ten teams travel west, bad things happen. Moreover, ASU is 8-0 against the Big Ten when they play at home. Their strength – passing game, spreading it out – I think goes well against our weakness on D. I think the Badger running attach will generate points and momentum, but Stave turnovers via a vicious ASU pass rush and the lack of a Badger kicking game allow ASU to pull off the victory. But believe me, I would love nothing more than to be proved wrong.
Prediction: Arizona State 31, Wisconsin 28
Andy: Yes, it is a bold pick for sure, but this one comes down to the trenches and I trust our defensive line against their offensive line a hell of a lot more than the reverse scenario. I expect points to be put up, but I also expect the Badgers secondary and the 3-4 system to cause enough problems in the spread attack to slow it down. Look for Joel Stave to have a big game and for James White and Melvin Gordon to both score on runs over 40 yards.
Prediction: Wisconsin 37, Arizona State 20
Jay: I see Arizona State jumping out to a 7-0 lead early. They may even up that to a two score lead, but Wisconsin will go to the bread and butter and wear down the Sun Devils. This one won't be as high scoring as a lot of games we've seen over the last few years, but it won't be as big of a struggle as Oregon State was last year. The Badgers pull it off and look towards the start of the Big Ten next week.
Prediction: Wisconsin 23, Arizona State 20
Cole: The Badger backs will run all over an Arizona St. defense that had lots of trouble stoping the run last season. Expect a monster game from Melvin Gordon, who's been putting up huge numbers in limited touches. I also expect Joel Stave to have an efficient game through the air. Look for Wisconsin to build on the momentum they've built the past two weeks and continue to play well on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Borland and co. will keep the ASU offense in check, and the Badgers will escape Phoenix 3-0.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31, Arizona State 14
Paul: Wisconsin scores 28 because I don't trust us to make a field goal. Arizona State scores 24 because they have a wide open offense, but I think we will do more bending than breaking. Their lack of experience at WR is key.
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Arizona State 24
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