It’s always fun fodder to argue over whether an elite small program could handle facing off against one of the big conference powers. We’ll get one of those answers this season when the Western Michigan Broncos and Wisconsin Badgers match up in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Western Michigan is undefeated on the season but this will be its biggest test of the season. Wisconsin lost to Penn State last time out in the Big Ten championship game last time out to extinguish any hopes of the College Football Playoff. The Badgers are the favorite in this one but must be properly motivated after just missing out on a national championship chase.
Kickoff for this bowl game is set for Monday, January 2, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Western Michigan +7.5
Wisconsin -7.5
Over/Under 54
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin is more than a touchdown favorite in this one and the gambling public likes the Badgers to cover, with more than 84 percent of the money coming in on their side. Western Michigan is paying off at +255 on the moneyline and three-quarters of the moneyline action is coming in on the underdog.
The scoring total is pretty low since Wisconsin plays in a lot of defensive struggles and the action is coming in pretty equally on either side, with the “over” getting slightly more of the action.
Western Michigan is 13-0 straight up and 9-4 against the spread this season. The Broncos have only been the underdog one time this season and covered that one.
Wisconsin is 10-3 straight up and 9-3-1 against the spread. The Badgers are 5-3-1 against the spread as the favorites this season.
Matchup to Watch
Western Michigan passing game vs. Wisconsin defense -- The Broncos’ best chance at hanging in this game is if they can get the aerial attack going.
Western Michigan has a star quarterback in Zach Terrell. He has thrown for 3,376 yards this season with 32 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Terrell threw for 290 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions last time out after beforehand being really impressive taking care of the ball.
He cannot afford to turn the ball over in this matchup or else Wisconsin will certainly come away with the win. Terrell’s top target is Corey Davis, who has 91 catches for 1,427 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season.
Western Michigan is scoring 43.5 points per game while Wisconsin is only allowing 15.5 points per contest. The Badgers are only giving up 206.1 passing yards per game and will try to keep Terrell in check.
The Broncos have a good offense but they have never faced a defense this good and could be in for a surprise.
Player To Watch
Corey Clements -- The Wisconsin running back is the key to the offense. The Badgers don’t have a great passing game and will rely on Clements. He has carried the ball 292 times for 1,304 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Clements has surpassed 100 yards rushing in his past five games and will aim to do so again in this one. Western Michigan has allowed 151 yards per game on the ground this season and will need to control Clements in order to have a shot at the win.
Free ATS Pick
This is an intriguing matchup between a tough Big Ten team and an undefeated small school. Western Michigan would make some headlines by pulling off this upset but it won’t be easy.
The Wisconsin Badgers have an elite defense and the Broncos will need to have a break or two go their way. While Western Michigan should be able to hang around in this one early on, a big defensive play could let Wisconsin grab control and win this one. The Badgers are the choice to assert their big-school dominance and cover this spread.
College Football Odds: Wisconsin 30, Western Michigan 17
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