Wisconsin vs. Illinois Total Pick
Is No. 5 Wisconsin set for another dominant defensive performance when the Badgers hit the road to face Illinois Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is the clear favorite on the road, as the Badgers are getting odds of -26 points against the Illini. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 48.5 points. Wisconsin has won seven straight meetings in this series and the two have hit the over in four of their last five encounters. The public is currently putting 82 percent of the wagers on Wisconsin on the road. Saturday’s game takes place from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois and will air live on ESPN.
Illinois is riding a five-game losing streak following a 24-17 loss at Illinois this past weekend. The Illini are now 2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Big Ten and 4-3 with the under. Illinois has been a mess on offense, averaging just 18.6 points and 313 yards per game. Jeff George Jr. has thrown for 893 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions while Mike Epstein is the leading rusher with just 346 yards and three scores. However, Epstein has a foot injury that is likely to keep him out the rest of the season. Defensively, Illinois is giving up 29.6 points and 409.4 yards per game, including 210.7 rushing yards per contest.
Wisconsin is coming off a 38-13 win at home over Maryland to improve to 7-0 on the season, 4-0 in the Big Ten and 5-2 with the over. Wisconsin has been great on both sides of the ball, as the offense is averaging 36.6 points and 462.7 yards per game while the defense is allowing just 13.3 points and 265.4 yards per contest. Jonathan Taylor is leading the way with 1,112 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while Alex Hornibrook is adding 1,435 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Quintez Cephus is the leading receiver with 25 catches for 446 yards and five touchdowns.
The total isn’t set high due to Wisconsin’s defense and Illinois’ lack of an offense, but I think the over hits in another Wisconsin-style game. The Badgers have been moving the ball well lately and that should continue against this porous Illinois run defense. I expect Wisconsin to put up around 40 points on its own. Illinois will manage to score a few times in garbage time and allow the over to hit.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: WISCONSIN/ILLINOIS OVER 48.5