Wisconsin vs. BYU Prediction
Will No. 10 Wisconsin be able to pick up a lopsided win on the road when it takes BYU later today at 3:30PM ET? Here’s our pick for this contest.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is the clear road favorite, as the Badgers are getting odds of -16.5 points against the Cougars. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 40.5 points. These two last met in 2013 with Wisconsin picking up a 27-17 home win as a 9-point favorite. Today’s game will take place from LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The contest airs live on ABC.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats | Standings
BYU is off to a 1-2 start this season, but the Cougars are 0-3 against the spread. The offense hasn’t been able to produce, as they are averaging just 11 points and 231.7 yards per game. Not helping matters is that quarterback Tanner Mangum is out for today’s game with an ankle injury. Mangum had thrown for 466 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions over the first three games. Beau Hoge, a redshirt sophomore, will have to lead the offense today. The BYU run game, usually a strength, has produced just 229 yards in three games. Squally Canada is the leading rusher with 109 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, BYU is allowing 376.3 yards and 17.3 points per game in 2017.
Wisconsin has gotten of to a 2-0 start to the season thanks to wins over Utah State and Florida Atlantic. The Badgers are 1-1 against the spread, failing to cover in last week’s win over FAU. Wisconsin is averaging 45 points and 521 yards per game through two contests. The run game is averaging nearly 300 yards per game. Jonathan Taylor appears to be the next in line of great backs at Wisconsin, as he has 310 yards and four touchdowns over two games. Alex Hornibrook has thrown for 445 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Wisconsin’s defense has been solid as well, allowing just 12 points and 276 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing only 180.5 yards per contest.
Wisconsin has been a team that has been able to live up to expectations on the road. The Badgers have covered the spread in their last six road games and in five of their last seven games in September. With BYU dealing with the injury issues on offense and unable to move the ball consistently, I see the Wisconsin defense carrying them to the win while the offense manages to put together some scoring drives to earn a cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: WISCONSIN -16.5