Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 7 vs. Maryland

Let's get right to the point: No one is going to pick Wisconsin to lose this week. Or, for that matter next week when the Badgers play Illinois.

However, there are varying margins of victory given for Wisconsin against the Terrapins from the various analysts around the web.



Hey, we have to come up with some kind of angle.

Also, to keep things interesting, we posed an additional question on Twitter -- how many rushing yards will Jonathan Taylor accumulate? The answers are interesting.

Here are this week's picks from around the web and Twitter:

The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 35, Maryland 17.

Tom Dienhart of BTN.com: Wisconsin 51, Maryland 6.

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 40, Maryland 15. "The Maryland offensive line is giving up plays in the backfield in bunches. It’ll be one step forward, eight yards back time and again for the Terp offense as it struggles to answer a few good early Badger scoring drives."

Athon Sports' Mitch Light: Wisconsin 30, Maryland 13.

Josh Slagter of MLive.com: Wisconsin 38, Maryland 9.

Chip Minnich of Athlon Sports: Wisconsin 42, Maryland 14. "Even though Wisconsin has not always been impressive in its six victories this season, head coach Paul Chryst has used the traditional offensive approach first used to great success by former Badgers head coach and current athletic director Barry Alvarez — a massive offensive line that can maul the opposition, with a talented running back who can tire out the opposing defense. Maryland head coach DJ Durkin is improving the Terrapins, but Wisconsin is superior in the trenches, and that is where this game will likely be dominated by the Badgers."

Bill Connelly of SB Nation: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 39, Maryland 14.

Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register: Wisconsin 45, Maryland 10. "The Badgers escaped last weekend against Purdue, a late interception turning away a possible tying touchdown drive. But even in that narrow defeat, their statistical profile was impressive: 295 yards rushing, 199 passing and a run defense that allowed just 2.5 yards per carry. That’s all terrible news for Maryland, which has yielded 584 and 531 yards in lopsided losses the past two weeks. There’s no look-ahead worry for Wisconsin, either; Illinois is next. Look for the Badgers to impose their will on both sides of the ball and let Big Ten rushing leader Jonathan Taylor (986 yards, 7.8 per carry) enjoy a short day of work."

Jesse Temple of Land of 10: Wisconsin 38, Maryland 17.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report: Wisconsin 45, Maryland 17.

Daniel Gallen of pennlive.com picks Wisconsin.

ESPN.com's Tom VanHaaren (for some reason he's the only one picking a score for this week's game): Wisconsin 27, Maryland 17.

The Sagarin Ratings predict Wisconsin 46.09, Maryland 22.72.

CBSSports.com's Jerry Palm think Wisconsin will not only win but also cover a 24-point spread.

PickCenter: TeamRankings has an average score of Wisconsin 37.5-12.3 while NumberFire's average is 34.8-14.4. The latter also gives the Badgers a 53.9 percent likelihood over covering a 24-point spread.

Let's face it, no one is picking Maryland to win straight up. Here's a list of the websites that give picks from multiple analysts who are, of course, picking Wisconsin:

The three Athlon Sports analysts.

The seven of CBSSports.com analysts (although just four of seven think the Badgers will cover a 24.5-point spread.)

The six analysts at USAToday.com.

The nine analysts for the Dallas Morning News, seven of whom think Wisconsin will cover a 24-point spread.

The three analysts at FootballScoop.com.

https://storify.com/dave_heller/week-8-no-5-wisconsin-vs-maryland