Iowa Hawkeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers Game Preview: How to watch, start time, betting line, and prediction
WEEK 11 GAME PREVIEW HOME PAGE
IOWA OUTLOOK
Let's continue the celebration from last week. Anyone not a fan of the Hawkeyes didn't give them much of a chance of winning, and anyone that predicted last week's blowout was probably checked for insanity. Iowa takes your doubt and trumps you with domination. No offense, but Ohio State looked how I expected Iowa to look, and Iowa took the Buckeyes role last weekend. The best part? I love every second. I don't hate Ohio State, but I love underdogs. Iowa seems to always be the underdog each year, which makes me wonder why I don't show this team more love. Probably because my own home state team will forever be an underdog and I'm just jealous that Iowa plays the role better right now. Still, watching Iowa kick the living daylights out of Ohio State will be one of my favorite memories in college football for a long time, and that's a crowded list.
It's not that Iowa pulled off the upset, it's the way they did it. Beating Ohio State by 31 is something that many fans figured only Clemson would do (last year's playoff semifinal). The atmosphere in Kinnick Stadium was electric, and I'm extremely jealous that people I know were able to attend that game (shoutout to the Ludlow's!)
One play that sticks with me, is Nathan Stanley's touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson with Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard hugging his leg. The blowout was well under way at that point, and this proved that everything was going Iowa's way. And Stanley threw an absolute laser. Watch it again here. I can't get enough
WISCONSIN OUTLOOK
My friends are going to like me this week. I'm pretty much covering all of their teams. It's sad as a Gophers fan to cover all of these Big Ten teams, but that's what happens when your team hasn't been relevant for years. But I digress.
Wisconsin has been the talk of the nation outside of the Top 6 teams. An undefeated Badgers squad will be the subject of debate for as long as they remain unblemished. Do they deserve to get in? We don't know yet, but winning their next two games will help. It's not like there's any real pressure from teams behind them in the division either, so it's a stress free path to the conference championship.
The loss of Quintez Cephus certainly hurts the Badgers offense, even though they don't pass much. Southpaw Alex Hornibrook has thrown 15 touchdown passes already, making the Badgers look like an Air Raid team compared to former teams (Wisconsin threw just 14 touchdown passes all year in 2016). Even with the loss of Cephus, tight end Troy Fumagalli is one of Hornibrook's most reliable targets. And that's just in the passing game. With the loss of Corey Clement, the run game was up in the air mostly because we didn't know which back would lead the way. After some trial and error, Jonathan Taylor emerged as a freshman and appears to be the next Badger great at the position. Running behind another stellar offensive line doesn't hurt either. Right guard Beau Benzschawel the next NFL prospect, and leads yet another huge offensive line that opens gaping holes for Taylor. Oh, and the defense hasn't changed either.
Throughout the coaching changes in Madison, one thing remains true: Wisconsin plays elite defense. Stopping the run is their first priority (4th in the nation at 87 yards per game), and they rally to the ball. Their best player, Jack Cichy, was lost for the year before the season even started, but it seems that this group has rallied around his loss to continue their excellence. Players like Alec James and T.J. Edwards have stepped up in Cichy's absence to lead the defense. This will be their most difficult test by far this season.
PREDICTION
Iowa has been a surprise so far this year, and the Ohio State win will always be unforgettable. The loss to Northwestern still was confusing, but that's part of being the underdog. Maybe Ohio State was overrated? Also, I can't believe I went this far without mentioning Josey Jewell. Iowa's star linebacker and his defense are going to have their hands full stopping Taylor. And, dare I say it, Wisconsin's offense, yes offense, might be too much for the Hawkeyes to handle. Though, if they can force Ohio State's offense into four turnovers, maybe not. I don't know. I'm just guessing at this point.
My pick: Wisconsin 21 Iowa 20
