The Ohio State Buckeyes have been one of the most impressive college football teams in the country in 2016, winning their first five games all by 21 points or more. They are on the march to the College Football Playoff, but still have some tough games remaining.
One of those includes the Week 7 game against the Wisconsin Badgers, who just pushed Michigan to the brink and now hope to get over the hump and pull the upset of Ohio State.
This contest in Week 7 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Camp Randall Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State -10
Wisconsin +10
Over/Under 44
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin has a tendency to play tough defense and hang around against elite opponents. With that in mind, bettors believe the spread is too high, especially considering Wisconsin is at home. As of now, 53 percent of the action is going on the Badgers to cover.
Ohio State has a very explosive offense and the bettors are believing in that on the scoring total, as the “over” is the much more popular pick.
Matchup to Watch
Ohio State running backs Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel against Wisconsin’s run defense - This is going to be a key matchup in this showdown.
If Wisconsin can control the line of scrimmage, the Badgers have a big chance at an upset Saturday. The run defense has held opponents to just 90.4 rushing yards a game thus far, but Ohio State certainly presents a big test.
Weber and Samuel have combined for nearly 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in the first five games. As a unit, the offense has accumulated 1,618 yards so far, averaging 323.6 rushing yards a game.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett is another elusive threat who can pull the ball down and run it either on designed plays or scrambles if the pass options aren’t open. If Ohio State moves the ball effectively on the ground, it won’t be a good sign for the Badgers’ upset hopes.
Key Stat
12.2. That’s the points per game that Wisconsin opponents are averaging against this stout Badger defense. Ohio State will have its work cut out for it this week.
Wisconsin hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in a single game and has held four of its five opponents to two touchdowns or less this year. In their first loss last week to Michigan, the defense only gave up 14 points.
That being said, Ohio State is a special kind of opponent. With Barrett leading the way, it has averaged more than 50 points per game. The loss of key players like Ezekiel Elliott, Cardale Jones, Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller was supposed to slow the group down, but thus far that hasn’t happened.
Free ATS Pick
This will be an interesting game. Ohio State has rolled past any and all comers so far but will get a huge test against a disciplined and talented Wisconsin team.
While the Badgers are the underdogs, if they can win the game in the trenches they could certainly either keep the game close or even pull off the upset. Wisconsin will need some players on offense to step up.
Quarterback Bart Houston has not been great this season and needs to play well to give his team a chance.
Wisconsin is a good team, but Ohio State is great. The Buckeyes look like the best team in the Big Ten and can make a big statement by capturing a win over Wisconsin.
Don’t expect this one to get out of hand quickly, but Barrett will make enough plays to get the Buckeyes a win as well as a cover. The scoring total looks too low as the “over” is the right call for this Big Ten showdown.
College Football Odds: Ohio State 33, Wisconsin 18
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