From underdog to huge favorite

Wisconsin opened the season as a three-touchdown underdog. A week later the Badgers are nearly a six-touchdown favorite against Western Illinois.

Why a mismatch is interesting

The score is not the story. The question is whether Wisconsin looks physical, runs downhill and swarms on defense, the way the old Badgers teams did.

The Leathernecks are not good

Editor Seamus Rohrer notes Western Illinois is a weak FCS program that has not had a winning season since 2017.

“they're also a weak FCS program that hasn't had a winning season since 2017”

No size, no chance

Rohrer sees a mismatch at every position. Outside of a few skill players, Western Illinois lacks the size on either line to stop Wisconsin from doing what it wants.

Struggling would be alarming

Rohrer's bar is simple: any real struggle here would be extremely concerning. He expects wire-to-wire control in Madison, spread covered or not.

“if Wisconsin struggles at all in this one, it'd be extremely concerning”

Rohrer's pick

Wisconsin 45, Western Illinois 6.

Make-or-break for Fickell

Drew Gentile frames the night as make-or-break territory for Luke Fickell. Winning by 28 instead of 42 will not cost him his job, but resistance should be minimal.

Leave room for a trick play

Gentile gives the underdog some credit. There are Division I coaches on the other sideline, so a trick play leading to points would not surprise or worry him.

“if the Leathernecks come up with a trick play to set up a score, I wouldn't be terribly surprised”

Gentile's pick

Wisconsin 42, Western Illinois 3.

A win is not enough

Jeremy Schneider points out that Fickell's Badgers have never properly dominated weaker non-conference opponents. Just winning will not satisfy anyone this time.

“a simple win won't be satisfactory”

Backups get real snaps

Schneider expects Colton Joseph and the offense to move the ball through the air and on the ground, opening late reps for freshmen like Ryan Hopkins.

“Domination for Bucky, or else the optimism surrounding a rebound campaign will start to fade.”

Schneider's pick

Wisconsin 51, Western Illinois 10.

Was that first half real?

Christian Borman wants an answer about the Notre Dame game. Handling Western Illinois easily would suggest the competitive first half was the true version of this team.

“Anything less than a dominant performance will disappointment.”

All gas, no brakes

Borman wants to see a team that puts a lesser opponent away early. His pick: Wisconsin 42, Western Illinois 6.

“I'd like to think this team has the 'all gas and no brakes' mentality”

The familiar fade

Benjamin Worgull heard Fickell say the season starts now. He also saw the usual pattern against good teams: competitive for 30 minutes, then gone.

“look decent and competitive for 30 minutes and then disappear”

Donors and a restless fanbase

Worgull notes the offense has looked clunky for most of Fickell's tenure. Donors opened their wallets for a turnaround, and an edgy fanbase will not accept another flat night. His pick: 45-10.