Run For the Roses

The Wisconsin Badgers begin their 2017 Football season tonight--and that means it's time for my annual predictions you can take to the bank.

Tonight vs Utah State--The last time the Aggies came to Camp Randall, the Badgers barely won and Barry Alvarez hired their Head Coach Gary Anderson after Brett Bielema quit to go to Arkansas.  Paul Chryst will make sure that Alvarez isn't intrigued by Matt Wells--Wisconsin wins 34-10.

Week 2 vs Florida Atlantic--No contest here, Bucky rolls 40-9.

Week 3 at Brigham Young--Over the summer, a lot of pundits said this would be a "good test" for the Badgers--on the road against a traditional power.  But after seeing BYU's lackluster performance against Championship Sub-Division Portland State last weekend, I'm not sure what everyone is worried about.  Wisconsin wins 27-14.

Week 4 vs Northwestern--Since this one won't be at Ryan Field with its ankle-high grass and 15-thousand unenthused fans, Bucky opens the Big Ten season with a rousing 34-20 win over the Wildcats.

Week 5 at Nebraska--The first real big matchup for Wisconsin.  But the Badgers have won five of the six games against the Huskers since they joined the Big Ten--and that one loss was by just three points at Lincoln.  I like Wisconsin to grind out an ugly 23-20 win in this one.

Week 6 vs Purdue--The Boilermakers are the worst team in the conference.  Wisconsin sleepwalks through a 27-13 win at home.

Week 7 vs Maryland--After the gauntlet that was the 2016 season, Wisconsin has all of the Big Ten cupcakes this year.  Another pedestrian win 40-14.

Week 8 at Illinois--Illini Head Coach Lovie Smith never promised to beat Wisconsin when he took this job.  Badgers roll to 8-0 on the road with a 34-19 win.

Week 9 at Indiana--I'm sure last night's inspired first half performance against Ohio State has Hoosiers fans thinking they might compete this year.  But keep in mind, first game, on the road, lots of new players on defense for Ohio State were the only reasons it was close for three quarters.  Badgers pull away late in Bloomington too, 33-24.

Week 10 vs Michigan--This is the one to circle on the calendar this season.  Wisconsin will be 9-0, Michigan will be in first place in the East Division.  ESPN Gameday will likely be there.  This game will be moved to primetime and the crowd will be electric.  Unfortunately, these are the types of games Wisconsin has been finding ways to lose in excruciating fashion since the Bielema era.  Unfortunately that continues here as the Badgers blow it 48-42 in triple overtime.

Week 11 at Minnesota--Wisconsin has retained Paul Bunyan's Axe for 13 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS.  And given how the Goofs struggled to beat Buffalo at home last night, the Badgers bounce back to claim the trophy for a 14TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR 140 to 14.

Big Ten Championship Game vs Michigan.  Ah sweet revenge.  A dish not best served cold, but rather served when a bid to the College Football Playoffs is on the line in Indianapolis.  Wisconsin learns from last year's collapse against Penn State in this game and finishes off the Wolverines 34-28.

So it's on to the Rose Bowl and a matchup against SEC Champions Alabama.  In typical Wisconsin form, they hang close throughout, but all the breaks go Bama's way late and the Crimson Tide wins a tough one 20-16.

It should be a pretty fun Fall.  ON WISCONSIN!!