Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
Brendan Sullivan is predicted to make his inaugural appearance as quarterback for Iowa as the Hawkeyes welcome Wisconsin to Iowa City on Saturday evening for a Big Ten showdown between two teams with matching records.
Iowa (5-3, 3-2) is fresh off a 40-14 triumph at home against Northwestern last Saturday. Sullivan took over for injured starter Cade McNamara, helping the Hawkeyes bounce back from an early 7-3 deficit.
Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 28-13 defeat at home to third-ranked Penn State after leading 10-7 at halftime.
In the game against Northwestern, Sullivan led the Hawkeyes to 37 consecutive points after taking over for McNamara, who threw an interception that resulted in a touchdown for the opposition. Sullivan completed 9 of 14 passes for 80 yards without a touchdown or interception.
"I thought he performed admirably out there, remained composed, and was productive," stated Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on Tuesday. "He's been practicing well so far this week, so it's a good start for him."
Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, is listed as the starting quarterback for the Wisconsin game, according to the depth chart released on Monday. He has played in six games this season but has only attempted 16 passes in limited playing time.
Ferentz announced on Tuesday that McNamara will not be playing in the Wisconsin game due to a concussion.
The Hawkeyes have an average of 347.9 yards per game, while allowing 315.9 yards, with only 104.1 coming from the ground. Wisconsin has an average of 393.0 yards per game, allowing 311.1.
"It's going to be a tough, hard-fought football game that will most likely come down to the fourth quarter," said Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell on Monday.
Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke, who took over as quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke sustained a season-ending knee injury against Alabama on September 14, completed 22 of 44 passes for 217 yards against the Nittany Lions, but also threw a costly interception.
Locke has a 57.6 completion percentage (102 of 177), with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
Iowa has emerged victorious in the last two meetings against Wisconsin, including a 15-6 win last season. The Hawkeyes have won three of the last four games, after the Badgers had won four in a row. Wisconsin leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1894, 49-46-2.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Recap NOV 2TH 2024
Kaleb Johnson ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns and Iowa's defense smothered Wisconsin in a 42-10 victory Saturday night in Iowa City, Iowa.
Johnson, the Big Ten Conference leader in rushing, scored from 16 yards in the second quarter, 9 yards on the Hawkeyes' first possession of the third quarter, and 2 yards in the fourth quarter. He pushed his season totals to 1,279 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who took over for starter Cade McNamara after he suffered a concussion during the Hawkeyes' 40-14 rout of Northwestern on Oct. 26, completed 7 of 10 attempts for 93 yards. One of the completions was a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Gill to give Iowa a 28-3 lead with 4:17 left in the third quarter. That drive was set up by Nick Jackson, who intercepted Braedyn Locke's pass at the Wisconsin 40-yard line and returned to the 12.
Sullivan also ran for 58 yards and a touchdown for Iowa (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten), which piled up 422 yards to 261 for Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3).
Locke finished 15-of-29 passing for 137 yards and threw a 14-yard touchdown to C.J. Williams in the third quarter. Locke also threw two interceptions, with both turnovers leading to Iowa touchdowns. He has eight touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.
The Hawkeyes led in total yards in the first half 186-115 but trailed 3-0 until they scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions.
Deshaun Lee set up the first score, intercepting a pass from Locke and returning it to the Hawkeyes' 47. Seven plays later, Sullivan cashed in with a 1-yard run to give Iowa a 7-3 lead.
After the first of two consecutive three-and-outs by Wisconsin, Iowa took over on its 20. The Hawkeyes' six-play drive, which included Kamari Moulton's 30-yard rush, was capped by Johnson's 16-yard burst up the middle to give Iowa a 14-3 lead with 8:49 left in the first half. Johnson had 92 yards on 15 carries in the half.
The Badgers picked up 59 yards in the first half on their first possession, which culminated with Nathanial Vakos' 38-yard field goal.