As a chilly, mid-fall snow dropped onto the Camp Randall turf last Saturday evening, something magical and unexpected happened: the two-touchdown underdog Wisconsin Badgers somehow found a way to outlast
the No. 23 Washington Huskies, and a joyful revelry ensued that enveloped the scene in an otherworldly celebration.
Now, almost a week later, Wisconsin must turn to the next chapter in the form of a daunting road battle with the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington as 30+ point dogs in front of Hoosier booster John Mellencamp.
Let’s examine what the game might look like.
Best Case: “Hurts So Good”
My Best Case scenarios hitting have been few and far between, but last week’s did, which felt great. But that was Washington and this is IU, an absolute college football juggernaut.
If the Badgers can stay stout on defense, limiting the Hoosiers’ big plays, and show something on offense (a week of first-team reps for Carter Smith might help there), it’s not hard to imagine a competitive game.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin winning here would be on the level of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team’s victory over the Soviets, so it’s extraordinarily difficult to predict it, especially with Heisman lead dog Fernando Mendoza running the daunting Hoosiers’ attack.
Let’s keep it close, get out of Bloomington healthy, and focus on a Bielema/Fleck two for two to close the season.
Prediction: IU 26-16.
Worst Case: “Crumblin’ Down”
Cignetti has Bret Bielema’s 83-20 bludgeoning of Indiana half a generation ago on the bulletin board (which should be saved for games vs Illinois, really) and goes all in on sending the message that a close/late win over Penn State was a fluke.
Here, The Mendoza Line still means 200, but instead of a batting average, it’s the number of points Cig wants to score, and IU steamrolls Wisconsin into submission.
Prediction: IU 55-6.
Most Likely Case: “The Authority Song”
“I fight authority, authority always wins.”
Despite the Badgers’ new and improved attitude, sometimes it simply comes down to superior talent (and, if we’re being real, coaching).
Wisconsin fights hard, but is simply outclassed by the Hoosiers in all facets of the game.
Prediction: Indiana 34-10.
