Northwestern vs. Wisconsin Pick
Can No. 10 Wisconsin beat Northwestern at home by double digits? Here’s our prediction for today’s Noon ET Big Ten contest.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is favored at home, as the Badgers are getting odds of -16 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 48 points. The road team has won the last two in this series and the Wildcats have covered in two of their last three against Wisconsin. Today’s game takes from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The contest airs live on ABC.
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Northwestern is 2-1 on the season following a 49-7 win over Bowling Green two weeks ago. The Wildcats are 1-2 against the spread, but they are an underdog for the first time this season. Northwestern is putting up 32.3 points and 459 yards per game on offense through three games. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 842 yards and four touchdowns, but also has three interceptions. Justin Jackson has 248 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 22.7 points and 410.3 yards per game.
Wisconsin is 3-0 on the season following a 40-6 win at BYU two weeks ago. The Badgers are 2-1 against the spread, going 1-1 against the spread at home. Wisconsin has been dominant on both sides of the ball as the defense is allowing just 10 points and 248 yards per game. Offensively, the Badgers are putting up 43.3 points and 511 yards per contest. The run game has been the strength, with Jonathan Taylor rushing for 438 yards and five touchdowns in three games. Alex Hornibrook is adding 701 passing yards with eight touchdowns and one interception.
Bet on Northwestern vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin is being asked to cover a lot for a conference game, but I think the Badgers will find a way to do it. The defense should lead the way by holding Northwestern to limited points. The offense will then grind out some scoring possessions behind its run game. Wisconsin is 15-3 ATS after a bye and 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 conference games. Northwestern is just 2-6 ATS in its last eight games in September.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: WISCONSIN -16