Wisconsin Badgers (4-2) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (3-3)
October 19, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats +7 / Wisconsin Badgers -7; Over/Under: +39.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Wisconsin Badgers and the Northwestern Wildcats will meet Saturday in college football action from Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Here’s a Northwestern vs Wisconsin prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Northwestern vs Wisconsin pick.
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
The Badgers were able to win their first two games this year, beating Western Michigan 28-14 and South Dakota 27-13. Wisconsin’s next two matchups were both losses versus Alabama (42-10) and USC (38-21) before a 52-6 blowout win over Purdue.
In the Rutgers matchup last weekend, Wisconsin scored 14 points in three different quarters in a 42-7 win. Braedyn Locke tossed for 240 yards, one TD and a pick. Tawee Walker carried 24 times for 198 yards and three scores, while Vinny Anthony caught two balls for 81 yards.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Northwestern side, they went 2-1 over their first three games with a loss to Duke in OT 26-20 between wins over Miami-OH 13-6 and Eastern Illinois 31-7. The Wildcats lost their next pair 24-5 versus Washington and 41-24 against Indiana.
Matched up against Maryland, the Wildcats were up 17-7 going into the fourth quarter. Northwestern scored another 20 points from there in a 37-10 blowout. QB Jack Lausch threw for 203 yards and scored a rush TD. Bryce Kirtz caught three balls for 123 yards.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Northwestern has won four of its last six games as an underdog.
- Northwestern has covered the spread in four of its last five October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win
- Wisconsin has won five of its last six road games in October.
- Wisconsin has covered the spread in five of its last six road games in October.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five home games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Wisconsin’s last four October road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of Northwestern’s last seven October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Northwestern vs Wisconsin Prediction
I might try Northwestern here. The Wildcats had a great defensive effort in their latest win over Maryland, holding the Terrapins to 355 yards (296 passing) and 4.2 yards per play with just 6-of-15 on third-down tries. The key stat was the four takeaways (three fumbles), though. Offensively Northwestern wasn’t very sharp though, posting 283 yards (203 passing), 10 first downs and 3-of-12 on third-down conversions. That side of the ball will certainly need improvement this weekend.
As for Wisconsin, they posted an impressive outing versus Rutgers, notching 549 yards (309 rushing) and 24 first downs. The Badgers’ only real blemish was the two turnovers. Northwestern is really going to have to step up the run defense this weekend in order to slow the Badgers down, but I think the Wildcats can pull off the cover if they play to their capabilities.
