Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 4 vs. Indiana

Has a matchup between top-20 teams ever had less buzz surrounding it?

Wisconsin enters Saturday’s game against Indiana ranked No. 16 in the college playoff rankings and No. 18 in the Associated Press top 25. The Hoosiers are No. 12 and No. 10.

There’s a few reasons for this, of course.

Indiana star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is out of the season, certainly causing this game to lose some of its luster.

Wisconsin has played all of three games and in its last one, two weeks ago, lost to Northwestern, virtually assuring the Badgers wouldn’t win the Big Ten West and make the conference title game.

And, of course, 2020 and all.

The Badgers are favored by two touchdowns in this one – and aren’t the higher-ranked team. Will this game just be another usual result in the Wisconsin-Indiana recent history?

Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:

The Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 31, Indiana 14.

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 34, Indiana 17. “What’s the real Wisconsin? Blowing away Illinois and Michigan with ease really wasn’t that big a deal, and the offense couldn’t do a thing against the Northwestern defensive front. IU might be missing Penix, but it gets back the terrific defensive front that leads the Big Ten in sacks. And then there’s the bigger problem for the Badgers – turnovers. It gave them up like Halloween candy in the loss to Northwestern, and now it’s going against the Big Ten leader in takeaways – IU has forced 18 stocks far. But the Badger defense will rise up, Mertz will be good enough through some shaky parts, and the team is about to try making up for the disaster in Evanston with a statement win.”

Bill Bender of The Sporting News: Wisconsin 35, Indiana 20. “Indiana lost quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to a leg injury for the season, and that’s a huge blow considering the season the Hoosiers have put together. The Badgers have won the past 10 meetings in the series, and several have been epic blowouts.”

Josh Slagter of MLive.com: Wisconsin 27, Indiana 10. “Before Michael Penix Jr.’s injury this week, this was a marquee game. Now Jack Tuttle is Indiana’s quarterback against a well-rested Badgers defense. Add in the fact that Wisconsin had an extra week to stew on that loss to Northwestern, and this could get a little out of hand. Certainly the Hoosiers will try to lean on their run game with an inexperienced QB, but Wisconsin is allowing just 3.0 yards per carry and hasn’t given up a rushing touchdown through three games. Tom Allen’s defense will need some of its turnover magic to keep this close.”

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter: Wisconsin 32, Indiana 21. “Utah transfer Jack Tuttle completed all five of his pass attempts for 31 yards after replacing Penix on Saturday, but the running game will have to pick up the slack for Indiana to have a chance against Wisconsin. The Badgers are allowing just 67.3 rushing yards per game through three games, so a more run-heavy approach plays into their defensive strength.”

Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register: Wisconsin 31, Indiana 10. “This game could be of high interest for Iowa fans, considering the Hawkeyes face the Badgers next week and Indiana would be their most likely opponent for the Big Ten’s “Champions Week.” Hoosiers coach Tom Allen says backup quarterback Jack Tuttle “is a special player, too” after he lost starter Michael Penix Jr. for the season (ACL).”

Joe Vozzelli Jr. of the Champaign News-Gazette: Wisconsin 27, Indiana 23. “Michael Penix Jr.’s season-ending ACL injury is a huge blow to the Hoosiers. Jack Tuttle, a Utah transfer, steps in. No easy task considering Penix was playing like one of the best QBs in the entire Big Ten (1,645 passing yards, 14 TDs).”

Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Leader: Wisconsin 26, Indiana 13. “IU’s defense should hold the Badgers in check a little bit, but it’s hard to see how the Hoosiers, without quarterback Michael Penix, pile up points.”

Kevin McGuire of Athlon Sports: Wisconsin 26, Indiana 17. “Even while losing Penix, this is not an Indiana team to be taken lightly. Tuttle is competent enough to come in and keep things moving smoothly for the Hoosiers. But this is not the matchup that will allow for that to happen. Wisconsin’s defense can dictate the tone of the game from the start and make for a long game for visiting Indiana. Mertz and the Badgers get back to what worked well in their first two games of the season and hold off a respectable Indiana team to get back in the win column this week.”

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel: Wisconsin 33, Indiana 18.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic ($): Wisconsin 17, Indiana 6. “No Michael Penix Jr. (ACL injury) for the Hoosiers spells trouble, especially against a very good Badgers defense.”

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic ($): Wisconsin 27, Indiana 20. “Your guess is as good as mine how backup QB Jack Tuttle will fare in his first meaningful playing time in Indiana’s offense, but losing the difference-making Michael Penix Jr. was a big blow for the Hoosiers. Still, the Hoosiers’ defense is capable of slowing down Badgers QB Graham Mertz.”

Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com: Wisconsin 27, Indiana 13. “Now we’ll find out how vital Penix was to the Hoosiers, and my instinct tells me that he’s been pretty important. I’m not sure how much faith to put into the Indiana offense against a tough Wisconsin defense.”

Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press: Wisconsin 35, Indiana 24.

Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer of 247 Sports: Crawford – Wisconsin 31, Indiana 20; Hummer –Wisconsin 27, Indiana 24.

Erik Buchinger of Saturday Tradition: Wisconsin 27, Indiana 13. “The experts say Wisconsin should win this game by around 2 touchdowns, and I think that’s about what we’ll see. Both teams’ biggest strengths are on the defensive side of the ball, so points should be pretty hard to come by on each side. I think the Badgers will get a few of their pass-catchers back this week, and their defense will be dominant as it has been through three games of the season. Mertz will look better than he did against Northwestern and worse than he did against Illinois, but in the end the Badgers come away with a 27-13 victory with a late score to ice it.”

Joe DiTullio of GameHaus: Wisconsin

Mark Hasty of Go Iowa Awesome: Wisconsin 24, Indiana 20. “I’m not sure IU can survive losing Michael Penix Jr., even if it really is a defense-first team. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is a machine. It doesn’t matter who’s in the backfield, they will run, and they will succeed. So goodbye to all that for IU, but it’s still been a great season for them. Badgers win, but it’s close.”

Bill Connelly of ESPN: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 34, Indiana 19.

All three Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win.

Five of six analysts at USAToday.com pick Wisconsin to win with Paul Myerberg the lone dissenter.

All seven CBSSports.com analysts think Wisconsin will win but only two think the Badgers will cover a 14-point spread.

All four analysts at SI.com think Wisconsin will win.

All four analysts at FootballScoop.com predict a Wisconsin victory.