GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue at Wisconsin

Perhaps you’ve heard: Purdue has historically had a hard time with Wisconsin. And perhaps you’ve heard: Purdue has a new offensive play-caller. Perhaps you’ve heard: Purdue has lost three straight.

Saturday in Madison, a bunch of storylines play out.

Our GoldandBlack.com staff predictions …

MIKE CARMIN, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: Let’s see what type of play-calling magic Jason Simmons brings as the new offensive coordinator. The offense has been pedestrian the last three games since 34 of Hudson Card’s 36 completions have gone for 20 or fewer yards. The Badgers gave up 42 and 38 points to Alabama and USC, respectively, but Purdue doesn’t bring that type of firepower.

*The* Key To The Game: Which team can produce the most explosive plays (20 yards or more)? Wisconsin and Purdue have combined for 13 plays of 20 yards or more against FBS competition. Fifteen Big Ten teams have generated 13 or more plays of 20 yards or more against FBS opponents. 

Your Pick To Click (offense): Devin Mockobee. 

Your Pick To Click (defense): Yanni Karlaftis.

Spiciest Take: Purdue snaps its streak without a takeaway, joining every team in the country with at least one.

Predicted Score: Wisconsin 29, Purdue 15

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: Give Ryan Walters credit: He’s trying. OC Graham Harrell is out; analyst Jason Simmons is in as the play-caller. Will it make a difference?

*The* Key To The Game: Finding a lost offense. Look, Simmons can’t re-invent the wheel. But he can tweak and tune and alter. I expect lots of RB Devin Mockobee.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Mockobee. If he isn’t clicking, the offense probably isn’t. It’s really that simple. Get No. 45 rolling.

Your Pick To Click (defense): RE/ILB Kydran Jenkins. I expect him to be on the edge a good amount of time. Look for the prideful Jenkins to make a difference — or at least try damn hard.

Spiciest Take: TV cameras will pan to new OC Jason Simmons at least once a quarter. 

Predicted Score: Wisconsin 30, Purdue 20. 

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: Will the change at coordinator make a difference? Who knows, but Purdue needs more time to salvage this season.

*The* Key To The Game: Starting fast. Everyone will say that, but Purdue needs something good to happen to it in the first 15 minutes. Wisconsin is questioning itself too, and the first team to have a positive outcome may be in good standing.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Hudson Card. Purdue may try to run the ball more, but Hudson Card needs to re-establish himself as the leader of this team. He can do that with a solid performance.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Dillon Thieneman. I give coach Ryan Walters and Kevin Kane credit for putting Thieneman in a position to succeed. Maybe he will get Purdue’s first takeaway in 2024.

Spiciest take: I would like to say Purdue will stop the 17-year drought, but coming from someone who missed his Notre Dame pick by a mere 60 points, my credibility could be better.

Predicted Score: Wisconsin 27, Purdue 14

JORDAN JONES, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: Adversity is always a buzz word in sports, but it’s fully struck the Boilermakers. Graham Harrell is out after a dismal month of September, and Purdue’s back is against the wall. Does Purdue rise to the occasion, or does it continue the troubling trends that got it here?

*The* Key To The Game: You have to score to win, and Purdue simply didn’t do enough of that in September.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Devin Mockobee. Purdue may look to run the ball a little bit more with Jason Simmons calling the plays. Despite the 1-3 start, Mockobee has no quit in him.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Kydran Jenkins. Now playing more rush end, he’s continued showcasing his ability to attack the quarterback. Can he force Purdue’s first turnover of 2024? It may take multiple to leave Madison victorious.

Spiciest Take: Purdue’s defense breaks through to force not one, but two Wisconsin turnovers.

Predicted Score: Wisconsin 24, Purdue 14.

BRIAN NEUBERT, TAXIDEA TAXUS

Overall Thought: Purdue’s modern history against Wisconsin is not good, but that doesn’t matter because this is not one of those teams Madison just cloned every year. Problem is that unless this Jason Simmons fellow turns out to be Chip Kelly in the ’90s, Purdue wouldn’t seem up to the moment the way things are going.

*The* Key To The Game: Offensive rhythm. You can get creative and make big plays once your basic stuff is shown to work. That had to be Job 1 this week for this new offensive leadership.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Drew Biber. Some of the ball-control passing stuff Purdue has done for him should be expanded, IMO.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Will Heldt. I don’t think he’s ready yet to be as good as he can be one day, but you’ll see flashes here and there.

Spiciest Take: Madison will smell like beer.

Predicted Score: Wisconsin 24, Purdue 13.

CHAT GTP, STAFF AI BOT

Just trying to make sure we are more interesting …