Wisconsin is getting a heavy dose of respect from oddsmakers this week, even after the kind of loss that usually makes everyone pump the brakes.
The Badgers were blanked 30-0 by Iowa last time out, a game that went sideways fast. Wisconsin couldn’t get anything going on offense, changed quarterbacks, and had trouble slowing the pass on defense. After spending the week talking about preparation, the Badgers came out looking flat in their first rivalry game of the season, and it wiped away the momentum from their upset win over USC the week before.
That sets up an interesting bounce-back spot against Rutgers, a team sitting at 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights have had a rough season from the start, opening with a 16-point loss to UMass as a nearly 30-point favorite. They also dropped seven-point games to Boston College and USC before beating Howard for their first win.
Since then, Rutgers has been blown out by Indiana and Northwestern, and its only other win came against Maryland, which has been even worse at 2-6 and 0-5 in conference play. Still, the Scarlet Knights showed some fight last weekend in a 28-21 loss to Michigan that came down to the fourth quarter.
That game was tied early in the final period before Michigan put together an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that turned out to be the difference. The Wolverines controlled the box score in a big way, finishing with 427 yards to Rutgers’s 249, a 12-of-16 mark on third down compared with 3 of 10 for the Scarlet Knights, and a 23-9 edge in first downs. Michigan also held the ball for 39:06 to 20:54 and outran Rutgers.
Even so, the Scarlet Knights hung around thanks to a couple of missed Michigan field goals, including one in the red zone, plus a few explosive plays. AJ Surace completed only three passes, but those throws went for 80, 32, and 11 yards. Rutgers also averaged 4.8 yards per carry on the ground.
For Wisconsin, the biggest storyline is still the offense, especially with a quarterback change possibly on the table. But the betting market clearly expects a response.
The Badgers opened as 16.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook and had moved to 17.5, with the total set at 45.5 points. For comparison, Michigan was a 16.5-point favorite at Rutgers last week and won by seven.
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Wisconsin Faces A Big Response Test After That Iowa Loss
Coming off a heavy loss to Iowa, Wisconsin now gets a stretch that should tell a lot about where this season can still go. The Badgers have three upcoming games against lower-ranked Big Ten opponents, beginning with Rutgers, and the pressure is on to show a cleaner, more composed response after a rough afternoon.
One question hanging over the next step is how much quarterback Ryan Hopkins might factor into the offense, even though Luke Fickell has not indicated any official change. For Wisconsin, the defense remains the most reliable part of the team and should be central again, especially against a Rutgers attack that is likely to feature AJ Surace at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Just Made A Quarterback Change Fans Will Debate
An injury has pushed Wisconsin into a quarterback decision that could shape the conversation around the offense heading into Rutgers. True freshman Ryan Hopkins is expected to get the start, giving the Badgers a new look at the most important position on the field while Colton Joseph works through the issue that has him limited.
Joseph is still reportedly available if needed off the bench, which leaves Wisconsin with a familiar but uneasy split in the backfield plan. Hopkins already got a taste of the job when he replaced Joseph late in a recent game, and now he is set for his first career start with the Badgers trying to keep the offense steady through the change. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Fans Got The Reassurance They Needed From Mekhi Williams
Mekhi Williams has given Wisconsin fans a reason to breathe a little easier as the calendar turns toward signing day. The four-star safety in the 2027 class remains committed to the Badgers and still plans to put pen to paper next month, a notable development for a program that has seen its share of recruiting battles heat up as bigger-name schools circle.
Williams has drawn plenty of attention from major programs, but he continues to sound locked in on Wisconsin and is still focused on sharpening his game. He also just helped lead his high school team to a district championship, another reminder of why he is viewed as one of the top prospects in Wisconsins 2027 class and a key name to watch as the Badgers try to keep their future class intact. [Read more 🡒]