Wisconsin got back in the win column Saturday with a 35-14 triumph over Georgia Southern.
Adding to the win total might be the biggest positive from the contest, as the Badgers struggled on both sides of the football for three quarters against one of the worst teams in the country.
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Yes, Mike Tressel’s defense forced six turnovers. But Eagles QB Davis Brin still threw for 383 yards as Georgia Southern tallied 455 total yards on offense. That’s concerning.
Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3: Wisconsin rises after ugly win
What may be more of a concern are Wisconsin’s clear growing pains on the offensive side of the ball. Georgia Southern entered Saturday with one of SP+’s worst defenses in the country, yet the Badgers waited until the third quarter to finally capitalize on Georgia Southern’s mistakes.
Wisconsin has a lot to clean up on both sides of the football. It will need to do so if the Big Ten West is still considered a possibility.
For that outlook, here is what ESPN FPI predicts for every remaining game on the schedule:
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) breaks the tackle of Fresno State Bulldogs linebacker Levelle Bailey (6) during the NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35. Credit: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 63.4% Wisconsin wins. (up from 60.9%)
Date: Sept. 22 (Friday)
Purdue FPI Rank: No. 60
Purdue’s 2023 record: 1-2
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers logo on a flag prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 69.1% Wisconsin wins (down from 72.3%)
Date: Oct. 7
Rutgers FPI Rank: No. 46
Rutgers’ 2023 record: 3-0
Iowa Hawkeyes punter Tory Taylor (9) kicks the ball as the Hawkeyes take on Utah State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Credit: Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 53.7% Wisconsin wins (same as last week)
Date: Oct. 14
Iowa FPI Rank: No. 33
Iowa’s 2023 record: 3-0
Sep 2, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs with the ball during the first half against the Toledo Rockets at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 58.4% Wisconsin wins (up from 57%)
Date: Oct. 21
Illinois FPI Rank: No. 52
Illinois’ 2023 record: 1-2
Ohio State’s Kyle McCord (6) throws during the second half of the Indiana versus Ohio State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Credit: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 11.3% Wisconsin wins (down from 13.8%)
Date: Oct. 28
Ohio State FPI Rank: No. 1
Ohio State’s 2023 record: 3-0
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) scrambles during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 64.1% Wisconsin wins (down from 64.3%)
Date: Nov. 4
Indiana FPI Rank: No. 66
Indiana’s 2023 record: 1-2
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Northwestern Wildcats interim coach David Braun shakes hands with Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Jack Kennedy (1) before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 77.5% Wisconsin wins (up from 73.9%)
Date: Nov. 11
Northwestern FPI Rank: No. 71
Northwestern’s 2023 record: 1-2
Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Jeff Sims (7) runs the ball as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tariq Watson (24) defends during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 75.7% Wisconsin wins (down from 78%)
Date: Nov. 18
Nebraska FPI Rank: No. 68
Nebraska’s 2023 record: 1-2
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck argues with an official during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 56.5% Wisconsin wins (up from 53.6%)
Date: Nov. 25
Minnesota FPI Rank: No. 47
Minnesota 2023 record: 2-1
Sep 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell celebrates with players after a Badgers touchdown against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
FPI Rank: 34
Projected W-L: 7.3-5.0
% Chance…
- Wisconsin wins out: 0.1
- Six or more wins: 86.8
- Win Big Ten West: 32.1
- Win Big Ten: 4.4
- Makes College Football Playoff: 0.1
- Win National Title: 0.0