I have not been shy about my displeasure with Wisconsin’s efforts, both on the field and on the sidelines, against Western Illinois last weekend, so I am very eager to turn the page and talk about Eastern Michigan.
We need to get it out of the way at the outset: The Eagles are a marginal MAC team that Wisconsin should roll over with relative ease.
But, for reasons I will get into below, if you feel less than confident about that happening, you are not alone.
Best Case
Here, the Badgers do what they should
have against the Leathernecks, serving up a complete and relatively error-free four quarter effort that never involves a nap.
The offensive line is healthy and opens up gaping holes for Abu Sama and friends to run through. Colton Joseph looks more like the guy who won his conference’s offensive player of the year in 2025, and the defense creates a turnover (dare we dream for more than one?) while turning a middling Eastern Michigan offense into an afterthought.
Prediction: Wisconsin 41-9.
Worst Case
While there are a lot of theories about why the Badgers struggled for large stretches of the Leathernecks game last weekend, for me it was pretty simple. They came in overconfident or uninspired on defense (made worse by a 17-0 lead in the 1st quarter) and Colton Joseph simply was not healthy.
That is a frustrating combination that would morph into a disastrous one against a good team like Penn State.
So, in this sad scenario, Joseph continues to be ineffective, and Wisconsin again underestimates the opponent. If this happens, it is not a stretch to imagine a relatively tight game that is not in hand until the fourth quarter.
No, I am not calling an upset here, but a close game? Yes.
Prediction: Wisconsin 27-20.
Most Likely
To those who see a bounce back bludgeoning of Eastern Michigan in the cards, I respect your confidence but cannot join you. The Badgers have played four good quarters and four terrible ones so far this season. I am unwilling to believe that they will post four more good ones in a row.
Wisconsin will have some nice moments (we have seen this before) and others that make you want to tear your hair out on the way to a solid but not overwhelming win.
I think the defense looks better in this one (fingers crossed for their first takeaway of 2026) and the offense keeps it simple and does enough good things to put away the Eagles.
But nothing we will see will have Penn State particularly worried about a night game in Happy Valley the following week.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31-14.
