It’ll be a Big 10-Pac-12 battle as the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (-3) are favorites as they prepare to battle the No. 7 Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN and the opening kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Oregon Ducks
Oregon is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 3 points in this game. The Ducks are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Badgers are -155. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 51.5 points, and if one team catches a lucky break early, it will likely generate a decent in-game betting opportunity.
The game’s total has swung much higher after originally being set at 48.5. The opening line of 3 has yet to change.
The Ducks have lost 0.4 units this season and are 7-6 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 6-7.
The Badgers have gained 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. They’re 8-5 ATS and also have an O/U record of 6-7.
The Ducks are 11-2 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Badgers are 10-3 SU.
The Ducks are coming off a resounding 37-15 win over Utah on December 6 where Justin Herbert completed just 14 passes on 26 attempts for 193 yards and one touchdown. CJ Verdell (208 yards on 18 rush attempts, three TDs) led the ground attack in the win while Johnny Johnson III (six receptions, 87 yards, one TD) and Jaylon Redd (three catches, 35 yards) manned the receiving duties.
Back on December 7, Ohio State knocked off this Wisconsin crew by a score of 34-21. The Badgers defense let the Buckeyes pass for 320 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 172 yards. J.K. Dobbins torched the defense, recording 172 rushing yards and a score on 33 attempts for Ohio State. For Wisconsin, Jack Coan completed 17-of-33 passes for 232 yards. Jonathan Taylor (148 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) led the ground game in the defeat while Quintez Cephus (seven receptions, 122 yards) and Danny Davis III (three catches, 38 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Oregon has run the ball on 53 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wisconsin has an overall rush percentage of 64.5 percent. The Ducks have run for 183.2 yards per game and have 23 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Badgers are averaging 240.5 rushing yards per game and have 37 total rush TDs.
The Ducks offense has logged 267.5 yards/game in the air overall and has 35 passing TDs so far. The Badgers have put up 201.2 pass yards per contest and have 17 total pass scores.
Defensively, Oregon has allowed 106.8 rush yards and 222.8 pass yards per game. The Wisconsin defense has allowed 191.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 102.4 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Ducks have given up an ANY/A of 4.19 to opposing QBs, while the Badgers are allowing an ANY/A of 4.52.
Offensively, Herbert is up to 3,159 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 67 percent of his 378 attempts with 31 passing scores and only five interceptions. He’s got an 8.55 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.53 over the past two games.
The Ducks will probably try to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Johnny Johnson III (779 yards, six TDs), CJ Verdell (1,121 rush yards, eight rush TDs) and Travis Dye (564 rush yards, one receiving TD) have really been focal points in the offensive scheme for Oregon.
On the other sideline, Jack Coan has connected on 198-of-282 passes for 2,261 yards, 15 TDs and four INTs. Coan’s ANY/A stands at 7.52 for the year and 9.49 across his last two games.
The Badgers also like to rely on their backfield. Along with Quintez Cephus (728 receiving yards, five receiving TDs), Jonathan Taylor (1,833 rush yards, 19 rush TDs, 170 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) and Garrett Groshek (178 rush yards, two rush TDs, 200 receiving yards) have seen a lot of looks recently.
Oregon Ducks vs. Wisconsin Badgers Free Pick
SU Winner: Oregon, ATS Winner: Oregon, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Wisconsin has lost 14 fumbles this season while Oregon has let five get away.
- The Wisconsin defense has sacked opposing QBs 49 times this season. Oregon has recorded just 41 sacks.
- Oregon has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.5 over its last two.
- Wisconsin has averaged 6.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.2 over its last two.
- Oregon has won 12 of its last 13 games SU, with a three-point defeat to Arizona State on November 23rd representing the only loss over that stretch.
