The Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers meet Friday in college football action from Ross-Ade. The Badgers are coming off a matchup versus Georgia Southern. In that one Wisconsin moved to 2-1 with an 11-point victory. As for Purdue, they played Syracuse last weekend. The Boilermakers ended up with a 15-point loss to fall to 1-2 on the year. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Wisconsin Badgers 

The Badgers didn’t have a ton of trouble after the first half versus Buffalo in their 2023 opener, cruising to a 38-17 win thanks to 503 total yards and 23 first downs. Game two against Washington State pulled Wisconsin back to .500 with a 31-22 loss. The Badgers lost three fumbles in that one, posted 90 rushing yards and held the ball for just 27:24. 

Despite starting out slow in game three versus Georgia Southern (7-7 at the break), the Badgers scored 21 points in the third quarter alone on the way to a 35-14 win. QB Tanner Mordecai finished with 236 pass yards and two rushing touchdowns, while Braelon Allen finished with 94 rush yards and two scores to pace the run game. 

Wisconsin Badgers Team Facts

Wisconsin has won 22 of its last 25 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Wisconsin has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in September.
Wisconsin has lost the first half in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
Four of Wisconsin’s last five games as a favorite against Purdue have gone OVER the total points line.

Purdue Boilermakers 

Over on the Purdue side, they played a back-and-forth opener versus Fresno State in their opener and came up on the losing end with a 39-35 result. The Boilermakers gave up 487 yards and 27 first downs in that one. In game two versus Virginia Tech, Purdue was able to steady the ship with 427 total yards in a 24-17 victory that shouldn’t have been so close. 

Matched up against Syracuse last weekend, Purdue was down 21-7 at the break. The Boilermakers got better in the second half but still didn’t get any closer in a 35-20 loss. Hudson Card threw for 323 yards, one TD and one pick. Tyrone Tracy was the leading rusher with 38 yards and a TD, while Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen had a nice game on 10 catches for 114 yards. 

Purdue Boilermakers Team Facts

Purdue has lost four of its last five games.
Purdue has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Purdue has won the first quarter in three of its last four home games against conference opponents.
Each of the last four games between Wisconsin and Purdue have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Purdue ranked T21st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (9.1).
Purdue ranked T21st among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.571).
Wisconsin ranked 5th among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (3.9).
Wisconsin ranked 6th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (7.7).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with Wisconsin in this one. Probably staying away, though. The Badgers opened up the year with a couple of solid outings in their first two games, including a valiant effort versus a great Washington State team on September 9. In game three versus Georgia Southern, Wisconsin stalled out early and would eventually surrender 455 total yards (383 passing) and 23 first downs. The Badgers’ saving grace was the six turnovers they collected (five picks) and zero committed. As for Purdue, they gave up four turnovers themselves (three fumbles) and committed 11 penalties for 127 yards. Both teams need a bounce-back effort in this one, and if all goes well I think Wisconsin keeps the cover pace.