What kind of argument is made by suggesting that the Badgers will win because of their defense?

The argument suggesting that the Badgers will win because of their defense is an example of reasoning that relies on an assumption about the effectiveness of a particular aspect of the team—in this case, their defense—as the sole reason for their potential victory. This type of argument doesn't directly address or explore the overall complexity of the game, such as other factors that could influence the outcome.

While the argument may appear valid if one believes strongly in the strength of the Badgers' defense, it also oversimplifies the situation by not considering other relevant factors, such as the strength of the opposing team's offense, injuries, or game-day conditions. This oversight aligns more closely with an appeal to ignorance, because it implies that defense alone guarantees a win without sufficient evidence or consideration of other variables.

In contrast, an appeal to ignorance suggests that a lack of evidence against a claim is taken as evidence for it, which means that the argument lacks sufficient justification. Therefore, the reasoning is based more on an assumption rather than a thorough analysis of all contributing factors. In this context, the correct answer rightly identifies the nature of the argument being made.