Wisconsin vs Rutgers Prediction
Wisconsin comes into this matchup after a brutal performance against Iowa last week, but they are back at home and they are huge favorites to win. The Badgers have scored seven points or fewer in two of their last three games, but both of those were on the road. Rutgers is just 1-4 in Big Ten play, but played Michigan very tight last week. The Scarlet Knights have scored 21 points or fewer in three of their last four games and will face an elite Wisconsin defense here. Take the Badgers to cover at home.
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
The Wisconsin Badgers are 5-3 (3-2) this season after they lost to Iowa by a score of 30-0 in their last game. Wisconsin trailed 20-0 at halftime and they failed to score any points in the ugly loss. The Badgers were out gained by a total of 362-235, went 4-13 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 3-1 in the game. Ryan Hopkins threw for 93 yards and one interception, while Colton Joseph threw for 90 yards. Abu Sama III rushed six times for 23 yards, while Jaylon Domingeaux had six catches for 86 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, Wisconsin defeated USC by a score of 24-7, but lost to UCLA by a score of 17-7 before that. The Badgers have scored 23.6 points per game with 179.9 passing yards and 138.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 17.1 points against per game this season. Colton Joseph has thrown for 1,346 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 371 yards and four scores on 91 carries. Tyrell Henry has caught 30 passes for 397 yards and one touchdown this season.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 2-6 (1-4) this year after they lost to Michigan by a score of 28-21 last week. Rutgers trailed 14-13 at halftime, but they were tied 21-21 in the fourth quarter, before allowing a touchdown with 4:24 left for the loss. The Scarlet Knights were out gained by a total of 427-249, went 3-10 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. AJ Surace threw for 123 yards and one touchdown, while Jourdin Houston caught one pass for 80 yards and one score. Antwan Raymond rushed 11 times for 85 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, Rutgers lost to Northwestern by a score of 42-14, but did beat Maryland by a score of 37-30 before that. The Scarlet Knights have scored 27.8 points per game with 227.3 passing yards and 149.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 32.6 points against per game this season. AJ Surace has thrown for 662 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions, while KJ Duff (questionable) has 45 receptions for 774 yards and nine scores. Antwan Raymond has rushed 134 times for 733 yards and six touchdowns this year.
Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win
- Wisconsin has won each of its last six home games.
- Rutgers has lost six of its last seven games against conference opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Wisconsin’s last four games.
- Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five road games.
- The home team has won the first quarter in each of Wisconsin’s last five games.
- Rutgers has lost the first half in each of its last 11 games as an underdog.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Wisconsin’s last 10 home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Rutgers’ last seven road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Wisconsin Badgers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 10, Colton Joseph leads Wisconsin for touchdowns (4) this season.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 10, KJ Duff ranks T5th amongst FBS players for receiving touchdowns (9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Wisconsin ranks T135th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (128).
- Wisconsin ranks T5th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (3.0).
- Rutgers ranks 136th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (10.4).
- Rutgers ranks T135th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (19.9).
Positive Trends
When looking at the trends, I still like Wisconsin to cover here. The Badgers have won each of their last six home games and the home team has covered in Wisconsin’s last four games. Rutgers is also 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games. Even in last week’s game, Rutgers was severely out gained and if Michigan wasn’t awful, they would have won big. Take Wisconsin to cover in this one.