Jim Leonhard makes his Camp Randall Stadium debut as Wisconsin’s head coach this Saturday.
Leonhard’s tenure – much like the Badgers’ season — has been uneven, with a dominating win at Northwestern and a humbling defeat at Michigan State.
It’s been a rocky road for Wisconsin in 2022. The Badgers’ wins have come again, shall we say, less-than-stellar competition.
This Saturday offers a big test – a surging Purdue team which has won four straight with its only two losses being close affair to ranked teams (Penn State and Syracuse).
The Badgers enter a 2 1/2-point favorite – of course, Vegas gives three points to the home team, so it’s not like Wisconsin is necessarily the better team.
That’s decided on the field. Can the Badgers finally beat a good team? They could certainly use the juice going into an off week.
Here’s this week’s picks from around the web:
The Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo: Purdue 28, Wisconsin 24.
Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Purdue 27, Wisconsin 23. “Purdue’s run defense has been fantastic. It stuffed Minnesota – granted, the Gophers were banged up in the backfield – and is allowing just 100 yards per game. Wisconsin will get more than that, but not enough. It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Boilermakers are two plays away from being unbeaten. The passing attack has been terrific over the last two weeks, and the defense that has problems against the pass doesn’t have anything to worry about here. Everyone might be talking about Illinois, but this is when it looks like Purdue might really be the best team in the Big Ten West.”
David Kenyon of Bleacher Report: Wisconsin 27, Purdue 24.
Hey, two of seven writers at Hammer and Rails believe Wisconsin will win.
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports.com: Purdue 27, Wisconsin 24. “Purdue should find success in the passing game and put Wisconsin in the uncomfortable position of having to score points and keep up. While the Badgers are still effective on the ground with Braelon Allen, the Purdue defense has been much better against the run than the pass. The Boilermakers can put Wisconsin in third-and-long situations, which will not work in the Badgers’ favor.”
Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Leader: Purdue 27, Wisconsin 23. “If the Badgers had the kind of receivers Nebraska enjoys – that kind of speed – perhaps they could throw their past the Boilermakers. But they don’t. Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell, and Wisconsin – which has won 15 straight in the series – will have a disinterested Camp Randall crowd.”
Trent Knoop of Wolverines Wire: Purdue 27, Wisconsin 24. “Purdue is a 5-2 football team, but the Boilermakers very easily could — or should — be 7-0. Purdue has dropped games to Penn State and Syracuse which came down to the wire. Wisconsin looked dominant two games ago against Northwestern once Jim Leonhard took over the team. But last week proved that the Badgers just aren’t good this year after losing in double overtime to Michigan State. I think this game will be close, but I have to believe that Aidan O’Connell will out-duel Graham Mertz.”
Riley Donald of Hawkeyes Wire: Purdue 32, Wisconsin 27.
Randy Johnson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Purdue 27, Wisconsin 24.
David of Picks and Parlays: Purdue 24, Wisconsin 20.
Bill Connelly of ESPN: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 26, Purdue 26 (yes, I know it’s impossible but that’s what he has.)
All four analysts at FootballScoop.com predict a Purdue victory.
Two of three Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win.