Can the ‘Cats beat the Badgers two seasons in a row?
At 3-3, Northwestern is at an inflection point with arguably its biggest game of the season against Wisconsin on deck. The Badgers are coming off back-to-back Big Ten victories over Purdue and Rutgers, while the ‘Cats got into the win column in conference play with a 37-10 victory over Maryland last week. Here’s who our staffers have winning this one.
Adam Beck: Wisconsin 21, Northwestern 10
This Wisconsin team has put up 94 points the last two weeks, but this one smells of an old school Big Ten West battle. The first half will be tight, but Wisconsin’s potent rushing attack with running back Tawee Walker may ice the game in the fourth quarter. Expect the ‘Cats to be within a score through most of the game, but I’m not convinced Jack Lausch is ready to win a tight game at the Big Ten level. We saw what happened in the fourth quarter against Indiana. I think we see a similar, albeit lower scoring, storyline here.
Brendan Preisman: Wisconsin 21, Northwestern 14
Both of these teams can defend with the best of them. Neither squad gives up more than 20 points per contest, and the Badgers are 26th nationally in total defense. Both teams also like to play similar styles of game: David Braun’s complementary football, where the offense avoids critical mistakes and possesses the ball enough to put up about 28 points a night. The weather is looking absolutely gorgeous for this one — 60 degrees and sunny at kickoff — but the product on the field will likely be a slugfest fit for a rainstorm. In the end, I think Wisconsin will have just enough of an edge on third downs to put together one more quality drive than the Wildcats, and that’ll be enough to get the visitors a win.
Harris Horowitz: Northwestern 23, Wisconsin 21
For all the melancholy around Wisconsin’s offensive firepower over the last two weeks (94 is a ton of points), there’s another stat that I want to call attention to. Wisconsin has been favored against Northwestern in every matchup but one since 1985. Its record in those 33 games? 17-16 (credit to the West Lot Pirates for that one). Braedyn Locke has filled in admirably for Tyler van Dyke, and Vinny Anthony II is perhaps the best big play threat that the Wildcats have faced all season, but Northwestern will find a way to keep this close. The Wisconsin run defense is a definite weak point — allowing 146 yards per game. The Northwestern offense is getting healthier as Nick Herzog and Cam Porter return to full strength. I like NU to control the pace of play on the ground, Joe Himon II to pop a big run and Luke Akers to hit a long field goal in an upset win.
Charlie Jacobs: Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 17
The first four games of the season can presumably be thrown away for Wisconsin. After going 2-2, the Badgers destroyed Purdue and then did the same to Rutgers (who had a good defense up until playing Wisconsin). The Badgers have an average passing attack, but its rushing game is where it dominates, averaging just under 200 rushing yards per game. The Wildcats have been solid against the run all year but did struggle against Indiana. NU and quarterback Jack Lausch will surely keep this one close, but Wisconsin will likely be able to ice the game out, similar to what happened against Indiana where the game got out of reach.
Calvin Kaplan: Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 21
Wisconsin’s secondary is far better than Maryland’s, so I’m not expecting nearly as smooth of sailing this week for Jack Lausch and the rest of the Wildcat air attack. Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman is coming off a big-time day against Rutgers, and he should perform well again while leading a group of defensive backs with loads of talent. Thus, the key on offense will be to get Cam Porter going more than the ‘Cats have managed over the past two games. While Northwestern is riding some major momentum and has taken care of the football well, I don’t think it’ll manage to produce many big plays offensively. The defense will likely keep the game close and force at least one critical turnover, but I’d expect Northwestern’s offense to fall just short.
Patrick Winograd: Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 20
Northwestern has shown a ton of signs of promise on offense over the past few weeks, but Wisconsin won’t be caught off-guard by Jack Lausch and the Wildcats’ passing attack. After giving up 80 points over the span of two games against Alabama and USC, the Badgers’ defense has come back to life, surrendering only 220 passing yards and 13 points over their next two games against Purdue and Rutgers. The Wisconsin offense tallied 1,138 yards and 94 points in those two games as well, so it is safe to say that the Badgers carry a ton of momentum into this lakeside clash. Northwestern will be able to put more points on the board than either of those two teams to keep the game close, but the Badgers are playing amazing football in all phases and won’t go down easily.
Ascher Levin: Northwestern 21, Wisconsin 17
After predicting an upset in College Park, I’m sticking with the ‘Cats for their final game at Northwestern Medicine Field this season. Wisconsin has been on fire lately, winning its last two games by a combined score of 94-13, with Braedyn Locke stepping in brilliantly for the injured Tyler Van Dyke. Locke has thrown for 599 yards in the last two games, and Tawee Walker has been excellent at running back, posting 198 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s last game. Despite Wisconsin’s momentum, I’m confident in Northwestern’s defense, which has improved since a tough outing against Indiana. Anto Saka and the defensive line have been outstanding all season. The key will be Jack Lausch managing the game well and avoiding mistakes, and Luke Akers continuing his strong play in both punting and kicking duties. With this game being crucial to the team’s bowl chances, I’m predicting another upset for NU.
Natalie Wells: Northwestern 27, Wisconsin 23
The ‘Cats had their best defensive showing of the season in College Park last week. I think they’re going to force some more turnovers out of Badgers’ quarterback Braedyn Locke. With Carmine Bastone back in the fold, the defensive line will notch at least three sacks and a forced fumble. On offense, the ‘Cats will need to lean on Cam Porter to best exploit Wisconsin’s defense. The Badgers’ 168.2 passing yards allowed per game is fifth-best in the Big Ten, while their 142.0 rushing yards allowed is sixth-worst. Wisconsin has been playing excellent football the last two weeks, but I’m banking on the ‘Cats to keep their bowl chances alive.
Ben Adams: Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 17
The Wildcats are coming off their best game of the season and Martin Stadium will be rocking for its last game of the year. But Wisconsin has a combined 94-13 score in its last two games against Big Ten opponents. Expect Lausch to continue his growth and perform well against a good Wisconsin defense, but I think Braedyn Locke and Wisconsin’s offense will do just enough to pull out the win.
Ethan Weinberg: Northwestern 23, Wisconsin 20
I wrote back in the spring that this game would be Northwestern’s most consequential game of the season, and that prediction seems to have been validated months later. Wisconsin has been firing on offense as of late, combining for 94 points in its last two matchups against Purdue and Rutgers. However, I trust Northwestern’s defense to keep Braedyn Locke and the Badgers in check, especially given the unit’s performance against Maryland last week. Jack Lausch might have some trouble throwing the ball against a very good Wisconsin secondary, but I expect he continues to improve and show more confidence regardless. This game could literally make or break NU’s chances at a bowl game with a gauntlet of a schedule left to play, and I think the ‘Cats do just enough to eke out the victory in this season’s final game on the lakefront.
Sai Trivedi: Wisconsin 23, Northwestern 20
Northwestern is fresh off the heels of their biggest win of the season and will be riding momentum in this matchup. However, so will the Badgers, who’s potent offense has shined throughout their last two Big Ten games. The Badgers defense is vulnerable up front, so Northwestern’s running backs will have opportunities to pick up yards on the ground. However, the Wisconsin secondary is significantly better and will make things challenging for Lausch. Oh, and don’t expect the Wisconsin offense to commit four turnovers.
Wyatt Audler: Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 24
This will be a close game. Wisconsin is coming off a dominant win against Rutgers, and Northwestern just upset Maryland last Friday. In my mind, the thing to focus on for Saturday is how Northwestern’s stellar defensive line will fare against prolific Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker who ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns last week. The performance of these two will ultimately determine who wins. While Northwestern has begun to hit its offensive stride and figure out how to utilize Jack Lausch, the ‘Cats have not quite perfected their offensive scheme. The Wildcats will stick with the Badgers most of the game, but Wisconsin will edge out a win with its more consistent offense.
Season Standings:
5-1: Adam Beck, Ascher Levin, Natalie Wells, Ethan Weinberg
4-1: Miguel Muñoz
4-2: Brendan Preisman
2-1: Harris Horowitz
3-3: Charlie Jacobs
1-0: Weldon Genies
0-1: Ben Adams, Wyatt Audler, Sai Trivedi