CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: 847badgerfan on October 13, 2026, 10:20:28 AM
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This suddenly looks like one of the best games on the weekend for the B1G.
7:30 EDT on NBC (got spared being on B1G Noon, thank God).
Never would have thought that before the season. Lots at stake here.
Wisconsin is almost 100 percent healthy going in.
UCLA lost its top QB for the season last week.
Money line has come way down as a result.
Gonna be a lot of RED in that stadium Saturday night.
I picked the Badgers in our Pick'em here, and I'll pick them here too.
20-13
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Have no idea what to make of the UCLA QB situation
UCLA 28, Wisconsin 18
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The UCLA Bruins football quarterback situation is highly volatile following a major injury to starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Multiple national outlets report that Iamaleava is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a serious left knee injury, though head coach Bob Chesney noted on Monday that they are seeking further medical opinions before making a definitive, formal announcement.
The injury occurred right before halftime during UCLA's 17-15 upset win over Oregon. Senior backup Ty Dieffenbach took over for the second half, managing the offense effectively and throwing a critical touchdown pass to secure the win. Coach Chesney has described the upcoming quarterback situation as "decently fluid". While Dieffenbach is projected as the next man up, he will compete for snaps with sophomore Madden Iamaleava—Nico's younger brother. The undefeated, 12th-ranked Bruins (5-0) face their first major test without their primary starter this Saturday at home against Wisconsin.
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Dieffenbach spent two seasons at Pittsburgh with the Panthers but did not appear in a game. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, he entered the transfer portal. Dieffenbach transferred to the Cal Poly Mustangs. In his collegiate debut and first career start, in the 2025 season opener against San Diego, he completed 18 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. Dieffenbach's performance earned him Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors. He appeared in 11 games, making nine starts, and recorded 1,305 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Dieffenbach entered the transfer portal for the second time following the end of the season.
Dieffenbach announced in January 2026 that he would transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles, to play for the UCLA Bruins. He entered the season as the third-string quarterback behind brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava. After Nico was injured against No. 13 Oregon, Dieffenbach took over at quarterback, throwing for 43 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bruins to a 17–15 victory. With Nico out indefinitely, UCLA head coach Bob Chesney named Dieffenbach the starter for the following game against Wisconsin.
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Interesting that the 4 teams left that are still undefeated in conference play are playing each other
Ind-Ohio St
Wisc-UCLA
So after Sat there will be at most 2 teams left undefeated in conference play.
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interesting that Wisconsin/UCLA did NOT receive any votes in the preseason poll
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Wisconsin has the defense to stay in this game--7th in the conference in points allowed, but its offense remains a serious work in progress--and that's being generous.
UCLA has beaten the only good team it has played (Oregon), and that includes playing with the backup quarterback for the second half, who threw a key touchdown pass in the away win. Also note, it's not like UCLA's starter was the model Big Ten quarterback, ranking 13th--a spot below Colton Joseph--in efficiency. UCLA gave up a lot of points to Purdue, but it's looking like Purdue might actually be decent--and capable of scoring points in bunches. Even with all of those points allowed in West Lafayette, the Bruins are 8th in the conference in points allowed, adjacent to the Badgers. Yes, Oregon was playing with a backup QB who pitched a terrible game...the week after he smoked USC.
Wisconsin has played one good team, and got curb stomped. As much as Badge dislikes reading this, Notre Dame does appear substantially better than this year's Ducks. The Badgers are on an actual win streak, which feels remarkable, and it has people forgetting where they have been for the last three (arguably more) years, and, frankly, who they have played this year. A big splashy win against Penn State (the only "upset" of this streak), turns out not to look quite as sparkly as it did when it happened. And yes, the Badgers scored a lot of points against a beaten-up Michigan State. The heralded QB transfer is 12th in the conference for QBR, and has a nasty habit of giving the ball away. The Badgers are 10th in the conference in points scored. And that includes beating an FCS team, a Mac team, and two teams tied for last in the Big Ten. UCLA is 4th.
The real concern for Wisconsin should be the turnovers. UCLA leads the conference in takeaways, causing 19, including ten interceptions. The Badgers have six fumble giveaways, and Joseph has thrown five interceptions, including two pick-6s. On the season, Wisconsin is -2 (4th worst in the conference), UCLA is +12.
Wisconsin is traveling to Los Angeles, traditionally a difficult thing for all of the midwestern schools, but has the advantage of a buy week. The problem I have with getting too excited about the buy week is that I don't see an extra week turning the offense into something it's not: a unit that protects the ball. On the bright side, Wisconsin is a more disciplined in penalties: 6th in the conference, vs. UCLA is 18th.
Wisconsin might win this game. If Joseph can protect the ball, the defense plays to its mean, and UCLA hurts itself with penalties, the recipe is there.
The second-string quarterback has really dampened the odds makers' confidence in UCLA, only a 3.5 point favorite at home. I don't buy it. Turnovers doom the Badgers: UCLA 23, Wisconsin 13.
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As much as Badge dislikes reading this, Notre Dame does appear substantially better than this year's Ducks.
F 'em both. I am an equal opportunity hater.
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(https://i.imgur.com/TLEdHls.png)
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I think UCLA wins, but not for any tight tactical reasons. Just think UW is ok and the power running element and defense make the Bruins more formidable.
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I think UW is a little better than just OK.
fND might be the best team in the country and UW hung for 2+ quarters - until that pick-6.
This will be a great game, if you like defense.
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Keep the receipts: if Wisconsin beats UCLA, it will change my opinion about this team, and even change my opinion (a little) about this head coach.
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Keep the receipts: if Wisconsin beats UCLA, it will change my opinion about this team, and even change my opinion (a little) about this head coach.
Yep, for sure.
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Let’s all say what we’re really thankful for: it didn’t get the 11 pm kickoff time.
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https://youtu.be/2nLvVSU0qb0?si=yUVRqBribd34Tz5N
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Let’s all say what we’re really thankful for: it didn’t get the 11 pm kickoff time.
Or the B1G Noon one.
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https://youtu.be/2nLvVSU0qb0?si=yUVRqBribd34Tz5N
Fun times.
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So after Sat there will be at most 2 teams left undefeated in conference play.
Not "at most", there will be exactly two teams undefeated in league play after these two games.
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Or the B1G Noon one.
If I'm not attending, nothing better
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I was thinking of the other Wisconsin/UCLA Rose Bowl. The one where Wisconsin had a ball-hawking defense that won it a bunch of games, including that one. 1994.
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I was thinking of the other Wisconsin/UCLA Rose Bowl. The one where Wisconsin had a ball-hawking defense that won it a bunch of games, including that one. 1994.
Yeah, but that wasn't the "worst team in Rose Bowl history"
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Craig James is a tool with no toolbox.
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Not "at most", there will be exactly two teams undefeated in league play after these two games.
Are there no ties anymore?
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If I'm not attending, nothing better
You like Gus?
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Or the B1G Noon one.
Noon is best for me.
The local alumni group slants older. They don’t want to be at a bar until 7 pm. Otherwise, usually watch at home.
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Last tie in FBS history, Illinois at Wisconsin, 3-3, November 1995. I was having Thanksgiving outside of Milwaukee and none of us had any desire to go to that game. Thank goodness.
Wisconsin also tied Stanford that year, 24-24.
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You like Gus?
I used to hate listening to him. I don't mind him so much anymore....he grew on me a bit.
My wife says he looks like Jiminy Cricket. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
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Last tie in FBS history, Illinois at Wisconsin, 3-3, November 1995. I was having Thanksgiving outside of Milwaukee and none of us had any desire to go to that game. Thank goodness.
Wisconsin also tied Stanford that year, 24-24.
I wanted to go to that one, but the relationship with my now-wife was really fresh and that took priority. We actually did watch it together.