LSU vs. Wisconsin Pick
Will No. 5 LSU make quick work of Wisconsin when the two meet today at 3:30PM ET from Lambeau Field, or are the Tigers in danger of being upset?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, LSU is favored in this contest, as the Tigers are getting odds of -10.5 points against the Badgers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 44.5 points. These two met in 2014, with LSU picking up a 28-24 victory on a neutral field.
LSU has reasons to be ranked fifth in the country and feeling good about 2016. The Tigers have arguably the top player in the country in running back Leonard Fournette. Few were able to deal with him last season, as he rushed for just under 2,000 yards and had 22 touchdowns. The Tigers also bring back QB Brandon Harris, who could take a step forward and give LSU a little more balance. LSU always bring a tough SEC defense to the field as well, which has been a key against Big Ten opponents for teams like the Tigers and Alabama.
Wisconsin has been a tough team to beat for years, but a team that has struggled to get signature wins on the national stage. They had LSU prime for defeat in 2014 before a second-half collapse gave the game to the Tigers. Like LSU, Wisconsin wants to run the ball and they will look to do so with Dare Ogunbowale and Corey Clement. The big question is can Bart Houston do much for the Badgers in the pass game. Like LSU, Wisconsin is typically a physical defense as well, but the Badgers don’t have the same depth and top-level talent on that side of the ball as the Tigers.
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Wisconsin has a chance if it can keep Fournette from beating it. The Badgers will have to stack the box and try to make Harris beat them, which he can, but isn’t a sure thing. Even if Wisconsin is able to keep Fournette in check, LSU is likely to do the same with the Badgers’ run game. LSU is going to force Houston to make throws, and I don’t think he can against a strong SEC secondary. This game could be ugly, but I think LSU will ultimately win and cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PICKS: LSU -10.5