Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes: Preview, predictions and prognostications

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There’s something special about playing under the lights in college football. It’s exactly what will take place this Saturday as the Wisconsin Badgers tangle with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

A Heartland Trophy win is huge by itself, but with this game kicking off both teams’ Big Ten conference season, the implications are even bigger. Can Wisconsin get off to another big lead in the West division title race or will last week’s loss carry over to this week?

Plenty of questions abound for both teams as they enter the Week 4 matchup. Wisconsin does carry momentum in the series, having won each of the last two in the series. A win in this one would match the longest win streak for the Badgers in this series since a 5-game win streak from 1997 to 2002.

With so much on the line, let’s take a deeper look at how this game could stack up.

3 Key Players


Toren Young, RB (Iowa)

A hallmark of quality Hawkeyes offenses has always been a tough run game. So far in 2018, that run game has yet to really scare anyone. Enter a big matchup for Toren Young, who went from UW’s backyard (Monona Grove) to the sworn enemy. So far this season he’s leading the team with 234 yards rushing on 43 attempts and has two rushing touchdowns. They are decent numbers, but Young was held in check by Iowa State’s stout defense in their Week 2 contest. Wisconsin is coming off a brutal performance against BYU’s backs and will have something to prove. If Young can get the ball rolling downhill, the Hawkeyes could control this game.

Christian Bell, OLB (Wisconsin)

Andrew Van Ginkel’s injury has put his status up in the air for this contest. In his place will likely step former Alabama transfer Christian Bell. He’ll have some big shoes to fill, as Van Ginkel started the season off hot. Luckily, Bell looked the part after Van Ginkel went down with injury…but he has yet to record a tackle. That’s been made up for by the fact that he’s already picked up a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in limited snaps. Iowa’s offense is another big test after that BYU whooping up front last weekend. He’s got to pass it if the Badgers are going to win.

T.J. Edwards, ILB (Wisconsin)

Wisconsin’s lone returning All-American on the defensive side of the ball has lived up to the hype early on this season. He’s got 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hurries to his name. This week, Edwards is likely to draw the assignment of spying on one of the country’s best tight ends in Iowa’s Noah Fant. Let’s see if Edwards can keep pace and create plays that will get his team off the field or if Fant’s size and speed combo are too much for him to handle.

2 Key Stats


13.9: That is the points allowed per game on the road by the Badgers under Paul Chryst. It’s one thing to be stingy in the friendly confines of Camp Randall, but during the Chryst era it really hasn’t mattered where the Badgers play — the defense hasn’t really given up points to the opposition. Staying around that 13 to 14-point mark on Saturday night in Kinnick certainly would go a long way towards establishing a win for the visiting Badgers. Wisconsin also finished last season giving up just 13.9 points per game and have allowed just 13.7 so far this year. I think you get the point — getting touchdowns against this Badgers defense isn’t easy.

2: That is the number of losses in Big Ten play when Alex Hornibrook is under center. Sure, it may be debatable as to whether his 13-2 record in Big Ten games is because of him or despite him, but it’s hard to deny that the Badgers have been highly effective against the Big Ten since he took over as a starter. His only losses in Big Ten play have come against Penn State and Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game as well. Can the Badgers find another big win with Hornibrook under center or will the junior’s inconsistency and Wisconsin’s iffy pass protection prove his downfall? It’s hard to bet against a guy who has found ways to win despite adversity time and again…13 times to be exact.

Prediction


Wisconsin 27, Iowa 21

Going in to Kinnick and winning isn’t easy, especially so at night. However, if there’s a team in the West division capable of doing just that it is the Badgers. There’s no doubt that last weekend’s result was not good — mainly because a strength (the offensive line) became a weakness.

Look for the Badgers offensive line to respond, Jonathan Taylor to go over the 100-yard mark and for Danny Davis to come up with a big touchdown late as Hornibrook works his 2-minute magic per usual. Wisconsin earns a hard-fought victory and begins Big Ten play with a win over its chief rival at the top of the division.

The post Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes: Preview, predictions and prognostications appeared first on talkingBadgers.

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Heck of a win, that last drive by Hornibrook better shut some people up because not many QB can make that last throw. Our defense isn't what it has been in the past. Badgers win the West but it won't be pretty this yr.
 
Nice design on TD pass to get Taylor on a LB. Great throw
 
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