The No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers look to finish 2017 on a winning note against a rejuvenated national powerhouse in the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Saturday.
This is a battle of two programs who at one point both saw their names inside the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings this season, and both appear trending upward for seasons to come.
Wisconsin (12–1) faltered against Ohio State in a 27–21 loss in the Big Ten Championship game back on Dec. 2, but earned its second consecutive New Year’s Six bowl berth after an undefeated regular season and could clinch its first 13-win season in school history.
A tight-knit Badgers group will get one more game to play together against a Miami squad (10–2) that has fought off injuries on offense but features a defense that thrives on takeaways.
When and where is the game?
Wisconsin and Miami will kick off Saturday at 7:10 p.m. CT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
How can I watch?
The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Steve Levy assigned to play-by-play duties, Brian Griese as the analyst, and both Molly McGrath and Todd McShay reporting from the sideline.
How can I stream the game online?
Via WatchESPN.com and the ESPN mobile app (iOS/Android).
How can I listen to it on the radio?
On national radio, you can listen to the game on ESPN Radio with Dave Flemming assigned to play-by-play duties, Anthony Becht as the analyst, and Rocky Boiman as the sideline reporter. You can stream the game on ESPNRadio.com and on the ESPN mobile app.
On satellite radio, you’ll find the broadcast on Sirius 84/XM 84.
On the Badgers Sports Network, you’ll find the team of Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas with former Wisconsin safety Scott Nelson assigned to sideline reporting duties. Head to BadgerSportsNetwork.com to find the broadcast. You can also listen on iHeartRadio (iOS/Android/online) by searching “WIBA.”
Game predictions
- Jake Kocorowski: Wisconsin 24, Miami 20
- Ryan Mellenthin: Wisconsin 31, Miami 17
- Kevin O’Connell: Wisconsin 28, Miami 17
- Bob Wiedenhoeft: Miami 24, Wisconsin 17
- Andrew Rosin: Wisconsin 31, Miami 21. “The Badgers go undefeated when they score 17 first-half points”
- Owen Riese: Wisconsin 34, Miami 31
- Neal Olson: Wisconsin 24, Miami 13
- Drew Hamm: Badgers 153, The U 3
Bold predictions
Y’all came through this week.
The Turnover Chain stays off of the necks of the MIA defense. Hornibrook throws for 3 TDs. #BoldPredictionFriday
— RecommendExpulsion4A.Hornibrook (@jdavidsavor) December 29, 2017
Ratings are low and fan attendance plummets... the NCAA decides to change the name of the bowl to the Tangerine Bowl. #BoldPredictionFriday #GoBucky
— Rjb™ (@TheeRJB) December 29, 2017
Badgers 29 Miami 28 as Gags kicks winning FG with :03 left
— K. Rudolph (@scientwest) December 29, 2017
Deiter gets his 2nd TD of the year
— Justin Nieting (@JNiet7) December 29, 2017
Wisconsin 30- Miami 10. An actual badger gets released on the field and rips up the turnover chain. Deiter with 2 big man TD's.
— Michael Stoeger (@stoegersaurus) December 29, 2017
Badgers win 28-24. Hornibrook thorws 2 interceptions (one in 1st Q and another in the 4th). Hornibrooks last one almost sinks the ship, but Leon Jacobs makes a game saving 4th down tackle.
— Luke Mueller (@Luke_Mueller24) December 29, 2017
Grosheck and Ramesh male significant plays and gags nails a big 44 yarder in a 27-21 win.
— Douglas Greenberg (@DougGreenB) December 29, 2017
Johnathan Taylor has 200 rushing yards badgers win 30-20
— Tanner McEvoy Superfan (@TMcEvoyFan19) December 29, 2017
Badgers win 31-17. Taylor goes for 158 and 2 TDs. Hornibrook throws one pick, but also 2 TDs. Taylor is MVP.
— CJ Hansen (@ceyhota) December 29, 2017
Miami doesn’t get a chance to break out the turnover chain. Hornibrook plays game of the year with extra prep time
— Peter Snodgrass (@aGingerBadger) December 30, 2017
Rested and healthy and Wisconsin offensive line means big trouble for Miami. Bucky wins 31-17.
— Jay (@jay_1252) December 30, 2017
Also, the turnover chain fails to make an appearance.
And this one—oh, this one—brought a tear to my eye. So poetic:
Joel Stave is in attendance sitting behind Badgers bench, front row.
— Ebo (@EboSays) December 30, 2017
Badgers trail by 4 with 2 min left and must go length of the field.
Hornibrook engineers the game winning drive while not missing a single pass.
A single tear falls down Stave’s cheek as he nods in approval.