After a week off, Wisconsin is back at it with another ranked opponent as it hosts No. 19 Northwestern.
Despite not being ranked, there's a lot of love for the Badgers out there (and I guess a 10-point spread would cement that feeling).
One thing that is pretty consistent: Most see a lot of points being scored.
Here's the list of predictions from around the Web:
Our own Jesse Temple via his Know the Foe series: Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 28
All four Big Ten Network analysts are picking Wisconsin to win. The scores: Brent Yarina 38-33, Stephen Bardo 42-28 Tom Dienhart 33-28 and Sean Merriman 38-35.
The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 23
Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 37, Northwestern 30. "It's going to take a half, but eventually the Badger offensive line will take over. Northwestern will make it a fight with its midrange passing game, and Siemian will have a huge day, but the floodgates will open in the fourth quarter as Gordon and White rips through a tired Wildcat defensive front. "
Whatifsports.com simulation: Wisconsin given a 55.9% chance of winning with an average margin of victory of just 22.4-21.1.
All six CBSSports.com analysts are picking Wisconisn to win, but only three think the Badgers will cover a 10.5-point spread.
CBSSports.com's Bruce Feldman: Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 21. "Tough bounce-back spot for the Cats, visiting a physical Badgers team with some serious skill talent. The Badgers have outscored their opponents by an average of 41.3 in their three victories and are catching Northwestern at an ideal time."
ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett: Rittenberg -- Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 27. "The Wildcats commit more defenders to the run in this one, but Melvin Gordon still breaks loose for two long touchdown runs. Wisconsin has some trouble with Northwestern's pass game, and the Wildcats record a special-teams touchdown from Venric Mark. But the Badgers surge in the fourth quarter behind Gordon, James White and a powerful offensive line as Northwestern's close-game heartbreak continues."; Bennett -- Wisconsin 33, Northwestern 30. "Is there any way this can end except in a close game and a tough loss for one of these teams? I say no, especially since these could be the second- and third-best teams in the league, in some order. Northwestern grabs an early 10-point lead, but Wisconsin comes back on a pair of Joel Stave touchdown passes to Jared Abbrederis."
All four Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win. The scores: 31-27, 31-27, 34-31, 38-24.
Eight of the 10 analysts at the Sporting News pick Wisconsin to win. The two that don't have Northwestern winning by a field goal - 47-44 and 34-31.
Yahoo.com's Pat Forde picks Wisconsin to win but Graham Watson is taking Northwestern.
SI.com's Stewart Mandel: Wisconsin 37, Northwestern 24
Coachingsearch.com's Pete Roussel: Wisconsin 38, Northwestern 34
Coachingsearch.com's Chris Vannini: Wisconsin 35, Ohio State 24. "Two weeks ago, Wisconsin’s defense did a good job containing Braxton Miller and the Ohio State offense, but they can’t allow big plays again. Wisconsin will control the line with its power run game, and the bye week and home field will be enough."
All six analysts at USAToday.com pick Wisconsin to win.
