Michigan vs. Wisconsin Total Pick
Can No. 5 Wisconsin meet the physical challenge of taking on No. 19 Michigan when the two Big Ten teams meet up Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Wisconsin is the favorite at home, as the Badgers are getting odds of -7.5 points against Michigan. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 40 points. The home team has won eight of the last 10 meetings in this series and the two have hit the over in four of their last five encounters. The public is currently putting 56 percent of the wagers on Michigan on the road. Saturday’s game takes place from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin and will air live on FOX.
Wisconsin is coming off a big 38-14 win at home over Iowa last week to improve to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 in the Big Ten. The Badgers are 7-3 with the over this season as well. Wisconsin has a great defense that is holding opponents to just 13.4 points and 247.6 yards per game. Their run defense is especially tough, allowing only 81.5 yards per game on the ground. On offense, Wisconsin is putting up 36.3 points and 433.1 yards per game. The Badgers are averaging 245 rushing yards per game as well as Jonathan Taylor has 1,525 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns. Alex Hornibrook has thrown for 1,863 yards and 17 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions. Leading receiver Quintez Cephus is out for the rest of the year with a leg injury.
Michigan is coming off a 35-10 win at Maryland for its third straight victory. The Wolverines are now 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 5-4-1 with the over this season, hitting it in four of their last five games. The Wolverines are averaging 27.9 points and 373 yards per game behind their run game, which produces 207.8 yards per contest. Karan Higdon leads the way with 854 yards and 10 touchdowns while Chris Evans has 569 yards and Ty Isaac has 548. Both Isaac and Higdon are listed as questionable for this game due to injuries. Isaac has missed the last two games with a lower body injury while Higdon is battling an ankle injury. Brandon Peters has thrown for just 329 yards in his limited time as starter, but has four TD passes with 0 interceptions. Defensively, Michigan is holding opponents to just 16.4 points and 254.8 yards per game.
With two strong defenses set to meet, one would think the under would hit, but the trends call for the over in this one. Wisconsin has hit the over in nine of its last 11 conference games and 10 of its last 13 after a win. Michigan has hit the over in 10 of its last 13 road games and 10 of its last 11 road games against a team with a winning home record. Look for both teams to find ways to break big runs throughout the contest and compile enough points to get over 40.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MICHIGAN/WISCONSIN OVER 40