The No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers have looked impressive the last few weeks with wins over Iowa and Michigan, but there’s one last test the Badgers must pass if they want to keep their perfect season alive. And it’s a big one. Wisconsin will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Saturday in a game that will have huge ramifications on the college football playoff.
The Badgers have the superior record but come in as slight underdogs in this matchup, despite the gaudy national ranking. The No. 8 Buckeyes are 10-2 on the season with losses to Iowa and Oklahoma. They bring a three-game winning streak into this contest and will look to spoil the Badgers big run, and possibly elevate the team’s playoff hopes.
Watch this regular season Week 14 matchup live on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State -7
Wisconsin +7
Over/Under 53
Odds Analysis
The Buckeyes are listed as touchdown favorites. There is no home field advantage as this game is played at a neutral site in Indianapolis. Wisconsin is the more popular choice on the spread as more than 70 percent of the money is on the Badgers to cover.
The scoring total is higher than most Wisconsin games, and that’s because Ohio State has an explosive offense. Both the “under” and “over” are getting action as it is about an even split among wagers.
Player To Watch
J.T. Barrett -- Ohio State’s starting quarterback left last weekend’s game against Michigan in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return, but the Buckeyes beat their rivals in the Big House anyway. Dwayne Haskins came in as relief for Barrett and helped Ohio State to a 31-20 victory over Michigan.
So, the good news for Ohio State is the team proved it can win without Barrett, but the better news is it looks like it won’t have to this weekend. The team’s starter is now listed as probable for Saturday’s conference title showdown with Barrett telling reporters after the Michigan game that he will be healthy enough to play for the Big Ten crown.
Barrett has thrown for 2,728 yards this season with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions and has also added 672 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. The senior was just three-of-eight for 30 yards against Michigan before the injury and will no doubt be looking to put on a better performance this week against Wisconsin.
Key Stat
80.5. That’s how many rushing yards a game the Badgers have allowed this season. The team is coming off a shutout win over Minnesota last week where the defense held the Gophers to just 93 yards on the ground.
What’s even more impressive, is Wisconsin’s numbers against Iowa and Michigan. The Badgers held the Hawkeyes to just 25 yards on the ground and kept the Wolverines contained to just 58 rushing yards in recent weeks.
This week, Wisconsin faces an Ohio State offense that averages 250.3 rushing yards each game behind freshman J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins has accumulated 1,190 yards on the ground this season and is averaging 7.3 yards a carry coming into this one so containing him will be key.
Free ATS Pick
Wisconsin is being underestimated once again. The Badgers have a great defense and it’s going to be enough to help lead the Badgers to the upset. Ohio State is a great team but it’s going to be on the wrong end of this one.
Take Wisconsin to pull off this win and make the college football playoff.
College Football Odds: Wisconsin 27, Ohio State 24
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