As their disappointing 2025 season burns down to its bowl-free nub, the Wisconsin Badgers return home with a chance to knock off a second ranked foe in a row at Camp Randall in the Illinois Fighting Illini.
This time, the opponent is led by a familiar face in ex-Wisconsin coach (and middle of the night team fleer) Bret Bielema, adding a girthy layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Let’s examine what the game might look like.
Best Case
With the Badgers’ defense playing really solidly over the last month, it’s fair to give Fickell’s lads a puncher’s chance against the Illini, provided the offense offers something.
Carter Smith and Co. will need to be better than they were against both Washington and Indiana to hang with Illinois, which boasts a really solid attack led by senior quarterback Luke Altmyer.
If the Badgers score a couple of touchdowns, make some timely plays on defense, convert field goals, and control the clock a bit, it’s not insane to think they can upend the Illini in what should be a lively night environment.
Prediction: Wisconsin 20-17.
Worst Case
Basically, this is a repeat of the 2022 debacle that got Paul Chryst fired: Illinois coming in more ready to rock, executing with precision, and playing tougher. (The B5Q comments would again be wild.)
If those terrible things happen Saturday night in Madison, Illinois will handily dispatch Wisconsin, and Bielema will intentionally miss his flight back to Champaign to close down Wando’s like the good old days.
Prediction: Illinois 34-10.
Most Likely Case
Given the Badgers’ improved defense and overall grit displayed over the last month, I badly want to pick them to win this game.
Unfortunately, I can’t get past where the offense is now, especially (likely?) down Gideon Ituka. It’s fun seeing freshman quarterback Carter Smith getting some run, and I see potential there. But potential only gets you so far against a really solid Top 25 team.
The Badgers fight hard and keep the game competitive, but the Illini are just too much.
Prediction: Illinois 27-17.
