NFL
By: Melo Williams
The Wisconsin Badgers (4-2 overall, 2-1) play Illinois (3-4, 1-3) at 2:30 p.m. Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
The Wisconsin-Illinois border rivalry always has some type of storyline in its historical rivalry.
I’m not certain if there’s been any game bigger in the rivalry than Saturday’s game will be with the multiple storylines in it.
Some call this game the revenge game because, after last season’s 34-10 Illinois win, its first win at Camp Randall Stadium in 20 years, Paul Chryst was fired as head coach, and Jim Leonhard was named the interim head coach.
Leonhard, was a staple of the Badgers program, both as a player and a coach, AD McIntosh knew how important Leonhard was to the program, many felt it was Leonhard’s job hands down.
Despite calls from many players in the program to name Leonhard as the head coach, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh went in a different direction and hired Luke Fickell an experienced head coach with the Cincinnati Bearcats to lead the Wisconsin football team.
Jim Leonhard was offered a position to stay with the Badgers but after thinking over things and exploring other options, Leonhard ultimately joined the Illini as Bret Bielema’s Senior Football Analyst.
Five of his 10 full-time coaches either played or coached for Wisconsin when Bielema was there.
Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry played at Wisconsin from 2007-2011 under former head coach Bret Bielema.
Current Illini defensive backs coach Antonio Fenelus played defensive back at Wisconsin.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was the Wisconsin coach from 2006-12. In his seven years as head coach of the Badgers, Bielema won three B1G Championships, went to six bowl games, and compiled a 68-24 record.
Bielema is the last Badgers football head coach to win a B1G Conference title.
Offense:
Redshirt freshman QB Braedyn Locke, a transfer from Mississippi State, is expected to make his first career start for UW. He took over when QB Tanner Mordecai, suffered a broken right hand during the second quarter of a 15-6 loss to Iowa.
Locke, a former four-star recruit from Rockwall High School in Texas threw for 11,182 yards and 128 touchdowns during his prep career.
Locke, who stands at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds can offer stability and be a game manager and help guide the Badgers offense that has continued to struggle to find its offensive identity through six games.
Badgers running back Braelon Allen, is the Badger’s identity on offense and it’s not hard to see that, however, the Air Raid offense is forcefully the focus it seems.
If the Air Raid offense will continuously be the main focus going forward over the run game, then Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo must tailor the offensive game plan around Braedyn Locke and his skill set.
Locke is known for his accuracy, decision-making, and high football IQ, however, he is far less mobile than Tanner Mordecai so designed run plays won’t be an option.
Locke has showcased a respectable arm, showing he’s capable of making all the necessary throws within Wisconsin’s Air Raid offensive scheme.
If Luke Fickell wants things to start clicking for his offense then the offensive line must do a better job in pass protection to give Locke plenty of time with clean pockets to throw from.
Against Iowa, Locke completed just 3-of-13 passes for 16 yards and a pick when the Hawkeyes blitzed.
Wisconsin must use quick hitters in the passing game and simply get Braelon Allen & Jackson Acker involved early which will be huge in helping this team establish any chemistry to beat Illinois and to build on moving forward.
Badgers running back Braelon Allen on game vs Illinois…“It’s definitely one that I had circled,” Allen said of the rematch this year. “Definitely obviously my worst game that I’ve been a part of individually and probably one of the worst that I’ve been a part of as part of this team. I’m excited about going into their house and playing well.”
Allen rushed 18 times for 87 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per carry, in the 15-6 loss to Iowa. This game is for Allen to have 25-30 rushes so that so much pressure and decision-making is on Locke’s shoulders. Allen should have 120+ yards rushing with 2 TDs.
Defense:
The Badgers defense will dominate Illinois offense. I expect the Badgers pass rush to continue getting pressure on the quarterback. Illini’s run game isn’t the same so Wisconsin’s defense will force two turnovers.
Prediction:
Badgers win 23-10
Wisconsin vs. Illinois start time
• Date: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
• Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
What channel is Wisconsin vs. Illinois on Saturday?
• TV: Fox Sports 1
• Stream: You can stream the game through the FOX and FOX Sports apps through your television or streaming carrier. FUBOTV also offers a free trial.
• The announcing team of Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Devin Gardner (analysis) will call the action.
How can I listen to the Wisconsin vs. Illinois game on the radio?
• Radio: FM-97.3 and AM-920 in Milwaukee and AM-1310 and FM-101.5 in Madison, plus a statewide network of stations.
• Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analyst), and Patrick Herb (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the game.
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