In a game between two teams that are nationally ranked in the Top 20, the No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers (-9) are set to face their conference rival No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. This vital afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FOX.
Betting Preview: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
In this Saturday Big Ten matchup, Wisconsin is projected as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 9 points. The Hawkeyes are also receiving +270 moneyline odds while the Badgers are -350. Some good live betting possibilities could be unveiled during the game, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 39 points.
The early action has leaned in the direction of the Hawkeyes, as the opening line was -10. The O/U has not moved after it was initially set at 39.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this season as both the Hawkeyes and the Badgers are up exactly 2.0 units thus far.
The Hawkeyes are 6-2 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against conference opponents. The Badgers are 6-2 SU overall and 3-2 SU in conference play.
Iowa enters this contest on a zero-game losing streak while Wisconsin has won each of its last zero. The Hawkeyes are coming off a resounding 20-0 win over Northwestern on October 26 in which Nate Stanley completed only 12-of-26 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. Mekhi Sargent (only 46 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and Tyler Goodson (58 yards on 11 carries) led the ground attack in the win while Ihmir Smith-Marsette (three receptions, 20 yards) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (two catches, 88 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties.
Wisconsin just fell convincingly 38-7 to Ohio State a couple of weeks ago. The defensive unit allowed the Buckeyes to eat up the clock by rushing for 264 yards on 50 attempts, including three rush TDs. J.K. Dobbins shredded the defense, putting up 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts, along with 58 yards on three catches for Ohio State. For Wisconsin, Jack Coan completed 10-of-17 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown. Jonathan Taylor (52 yards on 20 rush attempts) led the ground game in the defeat as Quintez Cephus (three receptions, 57 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Iowa’s run the ball on 52.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wisconsin has an overall rush percentage of 64.7 percent. The Hawkeyes have run for 145.8 yards per game (including 98 per game against Big Ten opponents) and have 10 scores via handoffs this year. The Badgers are totaling 216.4 rushing yards per game (190 in conference) and have 24 total rush TDs.
If 2019 numbers are any indication, then the Badgers ought to have an advantage when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, as their backfield has generated 4.8 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.8 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Hawkeyes have tallied 3.9 yards per carry while allowing 3.1 YPC to opponents.
The Hawkeyes offensive scheme has averaged 246.9 yards in the air overall (245.8 per game against conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Badgers have put up 195.8 pass yards per outing (159 in the Big 10) and also have 10 total pass scores.
Iowa has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 87.8 yards and pass for 178.1 yards per game. The Wisconsin defense has allowed 139.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 84.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Badgers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 2.52 to opponents, while the Hawkeyes have given up a 4.57 ANY/A.
Offensively, Stanley is up to 1,690 passing yards this season. He’s completed 59 percent of his 229 attempts with 10 passing scores and four interceptions. Stanley’s got a 6.31 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.48 over the last two outings.
The Hawkeyes have tried to maintain tempo by putting the ball into the hands of their running backs. In addition to wideout Tyrone Tracy Jr. (278 receiving yards and two touchdowns), Mekhi Sargent (375 rush yards, three rush TDs) and Tyler Goodson (310 rush yards, 99 receiving yards) have been big focal points in the offensive game scripts for Iowa.
In the hosts’ locker room, Jack Coan has completed 113-of-152 passes for 1,227 yards, nine TDs and one INT. Coan’s ANY/A stands at 7.82 for the season and 5.80 over his past two games.
The Badgers should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Jonathan Taylor (141 receiving yards, four receiving TDs), Quintez Cephus (348 receiving yards and three receiving TDs) and Jake Ferguson (170 receiving yards and one TD) have gotten quite a few looks lately.
These two teams met last year with the final result being a 28-17 victory for Wisconsin.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Wisconsin, ATS Winner: Wisconsin, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The Wisconsin defense has produced double the sack total of Iowa this season (32 to 16).
- Wisconsin has lost eight fumbles this season while Iowa has lost three.
- The Hawkeyes offense has registered five pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Badgers have put up one such play.
- The Iowa defense has allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards, while Wisconsin has given up two such plays.
- The Iowa offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Wisconsin has created 14 such runs.
- The Hawkeyes defense has allowed zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Badgers have given up 10 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Wisconsin’s last matchup was set at 46. The under cashed in the 38-7 loss to Ohio State.
- Over its last three matches, Wisconsin is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three games, Iowa is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Iowa’s previous game going into it was 36. The under cashed in the team’s 20-0 triumph over Northwestern.
- Iowa has averaged 2.9 yards per carry across its last three outings and 3.1 over its last two.
- Wisconsin has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.1 over its past two.
