Wisconsin vs. Indiana Pick
Can No. 4 Wisconsin go on the road and take care of business against Indiana when the two Big Ten teams meet up Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is favored on the road, as the Badgers are getting odds of -12 points against Indiana. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 48.5 points. Wisconsin has won nine straight meetings with Indiana, covering the spread in the last four in the series. The public is currently putting 76 percent of the wagers on Wisconsin on the road. Saturday’s game will take place from Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana and will air live on ABC.
Wisconsin is off to an 8-0 start to the season following a 24-10 win at Illinois last weekend. The Badgers are 5-0 in the Big Ten and 4-4 against the spread. Despite their unbeaten record, Wisconsin only came in ninth in the first CFB Playoff rankings. The Badgers have a tremendous defense, allowing just 12.9 points and 268 yards per game. Offensively, Wisconsin is putting up 35 points and 442.8 yards per game. Their ground game is their strength, as Jonathan Taylor has run for 1,185 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. However, he has a leg injury that has him questionable for Saturday’s game. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook may have to step up. He has thrown for 1,570 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions this season. His leading receiver, Quintez Cephus, is also questionable for the game with a head injury. Cephus has 28 receptions for 477 yards and five touchdowns.
Indiana has lost three straight entering this game, including a 42-39 loss at Maryland last weekend to fall to 3-5 on the season. The Hoosiers are 0-5 in the Big Ten and 2-5-1 against the spread. Indiana has a respectable defense, allowing just 26.8 points and 342.1 yards per game. However, they struggle against the run, allowing 162 yards per game on the ground. Offensively, IU is putting up 27 points and 381.9 yards per contest. QB Patrick Ramsey has thrown for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns this season while also rushing for 226 yards. However, he is questionable to play on Saturday due to a knee injury. Leading rusher Morgan Ellison is doubtful to play because of an undisclosed injury. He has 473 yards and three touchdowns in 2017. Simmie Cobbs Jr. has caught 54 passes for 600 yards and five touchdowns. He is healthy for this game.
I don’t feel great about all the injuries to the Wisconsin offense, but the spread isn’t very large for an unbeaten top-5 team against a team that is winless in the Big Ten. Wisconsin’s defense should eat up the IU offense, especially with the all the injuries the Hoosiers have as well. Wisconsin has enough talent on offense to make up for the potential loss of Taylor. The Badgers have produced great backs year after year and will continue to do so. Wisconsin has covered in eight of its last nine on the road and I see it happening again on Saturday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: WISCONSIN -12