Score one for Jim Polzin.
All eight members of the University of Wisconsin football coverage team picked the Badgers to beat Indiana on Saturday, but Polzin was the only one who didn't think they'd cover the 10.5-point spread.
We'll make picks weekly throughout the season and keep tabs for those of you scoring at home.
Our prognosticators are ranked in the order of the current standings. The first record listed is the overall record, followed by the record against the spread (ATS).
To break ties, we'll use the difference between predicted point totals and actual point totals. The first number is the cumulative difference, and the second is average per game.
(8-1, 5-4 ATS, -146,
-16.2)
Bill Lynch, the Hard Luck Hoosier, and his team were mugged by the Zebras last Saturday against Iowa.
Maybe Lynch should have followed the lead of former Indiana coach Billy Mallory, who was the first to violate the Big Ten's unsportsmanlike conduct policy. That was in 1991.
After ripping the officials publicly, Mallory was given a choice: a $10,000 fine, or a game suspension. He chose the latter.
Mallory, thus, wasn't with the Hoosiers the following week when they faced Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.
Turned out to be the right move from an inspiration standpoint. Indiana rallied from a 20-0 deficit to stun the Badgers, 28-20.
It's too late for Lynch to go to school on Mallory, though, it might have been Indiana's best chance at reversing the momentum against the Badgers who have kicked butt in each of the last four games.
Don't be surprised if Bucky gets the short end of the officiating in what amounts to "make-up'' calls. But it shouldn't be enough to reverse the series trend. Or overturn the verdict.
Wisconsin 35, Indiana 20 | Click here for Mike Lucas' full prediction
(7-2, 5-3-1 ATS, -132,
-14.7)
Since Badgers fans will have a lot of time to kill between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., here are a few questions to think about:
Hoosier worst nightmare if you happen to call the Indiana backfield home? Badgers defensive end O'Brien Schofield, he of the 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Hoosier worst nightmare if you happen to call the Indiana defense home? UW tailback John Clay might be the most punishing, but -- after last week's ball-carrying coming-out party -- UW tight tend Lance Kendricks might be the most unpredictable.
Hoosier worst nightmare if you happen to be an Indiana special-teams player? Just when you thought it was UW's Chris Borland -- and pretty much only Chris Borland -- along comes David Gilbert playing the part of difference-maker. We'll see if others follow the freshman's lead.
Hoosier runaway winner Saturday in Bloomington? Hint: Hoosier visiting team?
Badgers 38, Indiana 3
(7-2, 5-4 ATS, -142,
-15.8)
Another week, another Big Ten lightweight. UW's running game should rule the day against a Hoosiers team that has been outscored 47-3 in the second half in its last two games. It's basketball season in Indiana.
Wisconsin 35, Indiana 10
(7-2, 5-4 ATS, -125,
-13.9)
The popular notion is the Hoosiers won't have much left after gut-wrenching losses the last two games and who's to argue? They jumped out to a 28-3 second-quarter lead at Northwestern and lost 29-28 two weeks ago. They followed that up by leading 21-7 in the third quarter at Iowa and had the ball at the Hawkeyes' 2-yard line and lost 42-24. Indiana hasn't won a game over a ranked team in three seasons under Bill Lynch and the first one won't come against the 24th-ranked Badgers.
Wisconsin 34, Indiana 14
(7-2, 4-5 ATS, -147,
-16.3)
This is a typical Indiana football team: A quarterback who can throw, a couple of dangerous skill position players, a couple of defensive ends who can rush the passer and not much else. Wisconsin ran for 441 yards in a 55-20 victory at Bloomington last year. Expect more of the same Saturday.
Wisconsin 42, Indiana 17
(7-2, 3-6 ATS, 142,
-15.8)
Had a chance run-in with an old acquaintance last week who was bemoaning the fact that Dustin Sherer didn't get to take a snap against Purdue, as a tribute to a guy who has accepted his role; the assumption is that the Michigan game will be too close to insert a third-string quarterback. But what more poetic setting to get that opportunity than his home state of Indiana? The Badgers have won each of their last two games in Bloomington by 35 points. That'd be an extreme margin this time around, but I would have said that last week, too.
(6-3, 4-5 ATS, -156,
-17.3)
The bye week helped the Badgers heal, regroup and refocus after two straight losses, but it took a dominating win over Purdue to provide the most important element to the stretch run: Confidence. UW will use that edge to its advantage today.
Wisconsin 33, Indiana 13
(5-4, 6-3 ATS, -119,
-13.2)
John Clay rushed for 112 yards against the Hoosiers a year ago -- and was the Badgers' third-leading rusher. That pretty much sums up what kind of day it was for an Indiana defense that was depleted by injuries. The Hoosiers aren't nearly as beat-up this time around, although you have to wonder if their emotional wounds have healed after blowing big leads in losses each of the last two weeks.
Wisconsin 31, Indiana 21
Posted in Football on Friday, November 6, 2009 7:00 pm Updated: 9:07 am. | Tags: Uw Football, Badgers, Indiana Hoosiers
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