Wisconsin vs. Illinois: Preview and Final Score Prediction for Week 8

Can the Badgers Rebound Without Their Starting QB?

October 28, 2006; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end (43) Andy Crooks and Illinois defensive back (32) Justin Harrison battle for a pass during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jeff Hanisch / © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Badgers will have their work cut out for them when they face the Fighting Illini

It was a very tough day for the Wisconsin Badgers last Saturday, as they struggled to put points on the board in a 15-6 defeat against the Iowa Hawkeyes. With their path to the Big Ten West becoming increasingly challenging, the Badgers head into uncharted territory, forced to play without their starting quarterback, Tanner Mordecai. Mordecai suffered a hand injury in the first half against Iowa, leaving redshirt freshman Braeden Locke to step up and fill the void. On Saturday, Locke will make his first start when the Badgers travel to Champaign to take on Illinois.

Braedyn Locke says he wants to put Wisconsin football on his back

Wisconsin Offense vs. Illinois Defense

When Wisconsin has the ball, the game plan will almost surely be to take the pressure off Braeden Locke, who has only thrown 31 college passes. With the Badgers' ability to run the football (No. 25 in the nation with 185.7 yards per game), coupled with Illinois' inability to stop the run (No. 91 in the nation with 164.1 yards per game allowed), expect to see a ton of rushing attempts by the road team. If Wisconsin is able to establish the run, Illinois will have to stack the box, and it could open up some play-action opportunities for Locke and the Badgers' receivers.

Oct 20, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Defense vs. Illinois Offense

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is interesting as he not only can sling it a bit, but he also has the ability to make plays with his legs. In fact, Altmyer leads Illinois in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in 2023. With that being said, the Fighting Illini have had trouble scoring points this season (20.3 per game), and the Badgers' defense has been very good, as they have allowed just 17.8 points per game. It would be surprising to me if Illinois is able to reach the 20-point mark in this one.

Final Score Prediction

Folks, if you are hoping to see some offensive fireworks this coming Saturday, you are going to want to tune in for a game other than Wisconsin vs. Illinois. In fact, it would not surprise me at all if this ends up being the lowest-scoring game of the weekend. Don't expect Braeden Locke to put the team on his shoulders as he wants to, but you should expect the Badgers to control the ball by racking up rushing yards. This should be a rather close game, but I expect Wisconsin to pull out the win.

Wisconsin 23 Illinois 17

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