Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 1 vs. Illinois

Big Ten football is officially back.

After a long offseason filled with ups, downs and uncertainties, the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers are set to kick off the 2020 season against Illinois on Friday night.

Last year, the Fighting Illini came into the clash as 30.5-point underdogs and stunned Wisconsin with a 24-23 victory, walking off winners after Illinois kicker James McCourt nailed a 39-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.

So, will history repeat itself? Or will the Badgers fight off another upset?

Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:

The Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo: Wisconsin 35, Illinois 14.

Bill Bender of The Sporting News: Wisconsin 34, Illinois 13. “It’s Big Ten football on Friday night. The Illini stunned the Badgers 24-23 last season, and the Badgers will have payback on their minds. Graham Mertz is in for an injured Jack Coan, and Wisconsin has a new supporting cast around him. The offensive line should still be good.”

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 34, Illinois 13. “The Badgers will get their revenge. It took about things to go absolutely right down the stretch for the Illini to pull off the 24-23 win last season, but this year should be different right away for both sides. This is an okay Illinois team, but the Badger defense is going to ramp it up right away, and Mertz is going to show off why he was such a massive recruit for the Badger program last year.”

Josh Slagter of MLive.com: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 20. “It was Illinois that knocked off the Badgers as 30-point underdogs last fall, so maybe oddsmakers are banking on revenge? Lovie Smith has Brandon Peters back at QB and seemingly a belief within the program that they’re no longer a league doormat. Plus, Camp Randall at night can’t be as intimidating without fans.”

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 14: “Wisconsin already needed to replace one of the greatest running backs in college football history (Jonathan Taylor), its leading receiver (Quintez Cephus) and two excellent pass-rushing linebackers (Chris Orr and Zack Baun). The Badgers now must also adjust to life with a new quarterback following a foot injury suffered by Jack Coan in early October. There are two bits of good news, though. The first is that backup quarterback Graham Mertz was a highly touted recruit in the 2019 class, one many thought could come in and win the job as a true freshman. The Badgers aren’t exactly handing the reins to a no-name walk-on here. And the other good news is they open the season at home against Illinois, which will probably finish in last place in the Big Ten West.”

Sam McKewon of Omaha World-Leader: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 10. “The Badgers will get their revenge for last season’s stunning upset loss in Champaign, but it won’t be easy. The Illini could put a scare into a lot of Big Ten West foes this year.”

Joe Vozzelli Jr. of The News-Gazette: Wisconsin 23, Illinois 16. “Illinois is really playing up the underdog card entering this Friday night showdown. And rightfully so after last season’s upset. Even with quarterback Jack Coan out injured, the Badgers will run the ball early and often behind a stout offensive line. As per usual. Expect plenty of carries for Nakia Watson, Garrett Groshek and Isaac Guerendo.”

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 16. “A Friday night Big Ten Network opener. I don’t happen to have the Big Ten Network.”

Johnny Parlay of Sports Book Wire: Wisconsin 31, Illinois 23.

Ben Kenney of Badgers Wire: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 17. “The Badgers don’t even have to wait a week to try to get revenge against an Illinois team that upset them in Champaign, Illinois last season.”

All three Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win.

All six of the CBS Sports analysts are choosing Wisconsin, but five of the six picked Illinois to cover the 19.5-point spread.