Gameday Predictions

Bill got the ball rolling in an earlier post, and I think he's right on with the final score projection. Both teams are playing well on offense. Iowa held Purdue to 17 on the road two weeks ago, and I would place the Badgers on the level of the Hawkeyes on the defensive side of the ball. Purdue hasn't stopped anyone on defense this year, even the likes of Ball St., Indiana St., and Miami of Ohio. They did shut the Badgers down offensively in 2004 and 2005 for most of both games, but they graduated most of last year's defense.

Minus more gaffes on special teams, the Badgers should build on their three-game point rcord and set the stage for big games against Penn State and Iowa in early November. Stocco will find Beckum and Swann in the endzone, and PJ Hill has another 200-yard rushing performance. Shaunnessey and Cooper are the key defensive players because they have the athletic ability to pressure Painter early and often. Involving Levy and Casillas on blitzes will also disrupt the rhythm of Purdue's passing game underneath. Sure tackles by our secondary will go a long way in keeping the chains from moving, and the scoreboard in Bucky's favor.