Maryland vs. Wisconsin Total Pick
Can No. 5 Wisconsin shut down another opponent when the Badgers play host to Maryland on Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is the clear favorite at home, as the Badgers are getting odds of -24 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 50.5 points. Wisconsin has won both Big Ten meetings with Maryland and the two have hit the over in both of those meetings. The public is currently putting 63 percent of the wagers on Wisconsin at home. Saturday’s game takes place from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin and will air live on FOX.
Maryland comes into this weekend just 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten following a 37-21 loss at home to Northwestern last weekend. The Terps are 5-1 with the over, though, thanks to their defense that gives up 36.5 points and 439 yards per game. Offensively, Maryland is putting up 31.7 points per game, but averaging just 339.2 yards per contest. Max Bortenschlager is the third-string QB that has been forced into action due to injuries. He has thrown for 561 yards with six touchdowns, but is averaging just 5.29 yards per attempt. D.J. Moore has caught 44 passes for 624 yards and seven touchdowns while Ty Johnson has 488 rushing yards with four touchdowns.
Wisconsin improved to 6-0 on the season with a 17-9 win over Purdue at home last week. The Badgers are also 3-0 in the Big Ten while going 4-2 with the over this season. Both unders have come at home. Wisconsin has a dominant defense that is allowing just 13.3 points and 265 yards per game. Their run defense is holding opponents to 78.8 yards per contest. On offense, Maryland is averaging 36.3 points and 466.5 yards per game. Jonathan Taylor is having a huge year, rushing for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the offense. Alex Hornibrook is adding 1,210 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions.
While my gut wants to go with the under, the trends are strong with the over. These two have hit the over in their last two meetings while Wisconsin is 6-1 with the over in its last seven Big Ten games and 7-2 with it in its last nine after a win. Maryland is 6-2 with the over in its last eight games. While Wisconsin has a dominant defense, the Badgers could still allow some garbage points late in the game. Wisconsin should be able to run right over Maryland early on and establish a big lead.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MARYLAND/WISCONSIN OVER 50.5