The gauntlet continues for the Wisconsin Badgers. While they aren’t facing a fourth straight top-10 team, Wisconsin nevertheless is hitting the road to face off against a talented Iowa Hawkeyes squad in Week 8 of the regular season.
The Badgers have lost two in a row, but both came by only a touchdown to juggernauts Michigan and Ohio State, with the loss to the Buckeyes coming in overtime. Before that came a win over No. 8 Michigan State, and Wisconsin will now aim to move to 5-2 with a win over Iowa. The Hawkeyes, meanwhile, are right in the hunt in the Big Ten West and hope to keep pace with Nebraska by winning this one.
It should be an intriguing showdown, as Wisconsin is a slight road favorite in what is expected to be a low-scoring, tight battle.
Watch this regular season Week 8 matchup live on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Kinnick Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wisconsin -3
Iowa +3
Over/Under 42
Odds Analysis
The spread looked low initially, and that’s certainly how the bettors are feeling about it. Wisconsin is being chosen by 90 percent of the betting public to cover, as the field goal margin isn’t a lot for a team which has proven to be among the best in the country.
The scoring total is one of the lowest of the week, and while the betting action is slightly on the “over” it still seems like a fair number.
Wisconsin has been good against the spread this season, covering on five of six occasions, including against Ohio State last week. The Hawkeyes are just 3-4 against the spread this year, including one cover in four home games.
Matchup to Watch
Wisconsin defense vs. Iowa offense - The Hawkeyes can only come away with the win if they figure out a way to solve the stingy Badgers defense.
Wisconsin has only given up 15.2 points per game even against an extremely tough schedule. The Badgers held LSU to 14 points in a victory, while Michigan State scored only 6, Michigan 14 and Ohio State 23 in regulation before getting an overtime touchdown.
The Badgers have only allowed 311.3 total yards per game. Iowa puts up 30.9 points per game behind a running game which averages 180 yards per contest. The Hawkeyes lean on Akrum Wadley, as he has carried the ball 80 times for 592 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Key stat
2. That’s the number of conference losses already for Wisconsin after falling to Michigan and Ohio State. Another one would likely make it impossible to rally for the Big Ten West title, but a win gets it back in the race, especially with a game against Nebraska coming up next.
The Badgers have come up on the wrong side of a pair of close games against conference heavyweight the past two weeks, and now must turn it around against Iowa.
The Hawkeyes have one loss in the Big Ten and would love to defend their home turf and stay close to Nebraska near the top of the conference.
Free ATS Pick
Wisconsin’s schedule has been one of the toughest in the nation so far, and while it does get a little easier, this one is no gimme.
However, the Badgers have the type of shutdown defense to really give Iowa problems. The Hawkeyes prefer to run the ball but will almost certainly need to move the ball through the air to be effective.
The Badgers aren’t dynamic on the offensive side of the ball and Iowa is good on defense, but Wisconsin can afford to be patient knowing its defense won’t give up much. The Badgers should be able to deliberately build up a lead and capture this one to get back on track.
Wisconsin is the choice to not only win this game but also cover the spread. Even though the scoring total is low, the “under” is the correct choice as the Badgers’ defense should dominate.
College Football Odds: Wisconsin 24, Iowa 13
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