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Prediction Roundtable: Big Ten Bowl Games

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Big Ten logo on field prior to a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Big Ten logo on field prior to a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Bart Houston (13) talks with quarterback Bart Houston (13) before the Big Ten Championship college football game against Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Bart Houston (13) talks with quarterback Bart Houston (13) before the Big Ten Championship college football game against Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Cotton Bowl

Wisconsin vs. Western Michigan

January 2, 2017 :00 p.m.

Arlington, TX

Wisconsin blew a 21-point lead to Penn State in the Big Ten Championship and now gets the unenviable task of facing Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl. Beating a team from a non-Power 5 conference won’t do much for the Badgers, but losing could be very damaging.

The Badgers typically struggle on offense, but are often bailed out by a strong defense. T.J. Watt leads what is one of the best defenses in the Big Ten Conference.

On offense, Wisconsin doesn’t have much to scare opposing defenses outside of running back Corey Clement. He rushed for 1,304 yards this year with 14 touchdowns. His 164 yards in the Big Ten Championship tied his season high.

Western Michigan enters the Cotton Bowl as the only undefeated team in FBS outside of Alabama. The Broncos enjoyed a fantastic season and now get a chance to show they belong with the big boys of college football.

The Broncos rank inside of the top 25 in both total defense and total offense.

Quarterback Zach Terrell put up some great numbers this season, throwing for 3,376 yards and 32 touchdowns. Wide receiver Corey Davis is eight in the nation with 1,427 yards and leads with 18 touchdown receptions.

Find out who the VBR staff likes in this year’s Cotton Bowl Classic.

Site Expert Barry Leonard Jr: Wisconsin 21   Western Michigan 27

Contributor Marty Leap: Wisconsin 24   Western Michigan 31

Contributor Shane Lunnen: Wisconsin 30   Western Michigan 27

Contributor Corey Hunter: Wisconsin 38   Western Michigan 17 

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