Wisconsin vs. Miami Bowl Prediction
Even though Miami essentially has home field advantage tonight in the Capital One Orange Bowl at 8:00 p.m. ET, is Wisconsin the better bet to cover?
ODDSMAKERS LIKE: Wisconsin. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Badgers are 6-point favorites to beat the Hurricanes, who opened as 5.5-point underdogs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 45 points after hitting the board at 44.5.
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THE PUBLIC LIKES: As of Saturday afternoon, 55% of the betting tickets were on the Badgers to cover the spread but 52% of the money is on the Hurricanes.
INJURY REPORT: Bradrick Shaw (undisclosed) is out for the year and receiver Quintez Cephus remains sidelined due to a leg injury. Safety Patrick Johnson (arm), linebacker Zack Baun (foot) and linebacker Jack Cichy (knee) are also out for the season.
For the Hurricanes, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (knee) and Mark Walton (ankle) were lost for the season during the year. Tight end Christopher Herdon IV (knee) and defensive lineman Gerald Willis (knee) are also out.
WHO WE LIKE: Wisconsin. I realize the Hurricanes basically have home field advantage but I don’t trust Miami to get up for this game. Both of these teams were in the playoff mix all season long before falling short in their respective conference title games but I trust Wisconsin to be prepared and Miami to float it in. Call it a hunch.
The ‘Canes are also just 1-5 against the spread in their last six bowl games, are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games played in December, and are 2-6 at the betting window in their last eight games overall. The Badgers, meanwhile, are 10-1 against the spread in their last 11 road games, are 4-1 against the number in their last five games overall, and are 20-6 against the spread in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL: WISCONSIN BADGERS -6