Category: Wisconsin

Wisconsin vs Penn State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions prediction and college basketball game preview.

Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions prediction and college basketball game preview.

Wisconsin vs Penn State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 30
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
Network: BTN

[jwplayer quhxuNpV]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Wisconsin (13-4) vs Penn State (5-7) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Now that’s the Badger team we all know and love.

After getting drop-kicked by Ohio State at home, Wisconsin took control early against Maryland, played fantastic D, and was able to get a good road win. This isn’t one of the superstar UW teams of the recent past, but it doesn’t screw up, the defense is still nasty, and it can hit the three.

Penn State doesn’t play a whole lot of defense, doesn’t do enough on the boards, and it struggles from the field. However …

Why Penn State Will Win

The Nittany Lions will get after the three point shooters.

This is hardly a bad team – it played Ohio State tougher this week than the Badgers did last weekend – and it started to find a three point groove over the last few games. The Nittany Lions haven’t been able to play a ton of games, and they just now appear to be getting their game on.

Wisconsin isn’t going to come out and blow off anyone’s doors. Keep it close at home, take advantage of every opportunity, don’t turn the ball over, and get out on the three. Penn State can do all of that.

What’s Going To Happen

Wisconsin is actually a bit better when it’s able to open things up just a bit and score in the transition, but that’s just not what it does. It has geared things down to a stop as Big Ten play has gone on, but it’s been effective enough to get by.

Penn State will have a good run in the first half to take control of the game, but the Badgers will methodically push back in the second half and pul away late on free throws. They’re great on the line and Penn State isn’t.

Wisconsin vs Penn State Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 69, Penn State 62
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Wisconsin -3.5, o/u: 139.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Trying to figure out GameStop and AMC
1: Trying to figure out the end of Trading Places

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Wisconsin vs Maryland Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Wisconsin Badgers vs Maryland Terrapins prediction and college basketball game preview.

Wisconsin Badgers vs Maryland Terrapins prediction and college basketball game preview.

Wisconsin vs Maryland Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, January 27
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: XFINITY Center, College Park, MD
Network: BTN

[jwplayer net4WRvh]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Wisconsin (12-4) vs Maryland (9-7) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Wisconsin is just fine as long as the defense does what the Wisconsin defense is supposed to do.

Ohio State came out hot on Saturday and couldn’t miss in the 12-point win in Madison. Michigan was on fire in Ann Arbor in the blowout win over the Badgers a few weeks ago, and in the first meeting between Wisconsin and Maryland, the Terps couldn’t seem to miss.

All three teams the Badgers faced hit half of their shots from the field. Those are their only three losses outside of a fight against Marquette way back in early December, and those were the only three times anyone hit 50% or better against the D.

Maryland isn’t going to hit half of its shots. However …

Why Maryland Will Win

This is a strong-shooting Terp team that’s been able to get into these weird grooves where they do everything right.

They were able to do that against he Badgers, they were able to do it against Minnesota in Minneapolis a few days ago, and they’re able to capitalize on momentum as well as anyone in the Big Ten outside of Michigan.

It all starts by sucking up every rebound – the Badgers can’t be allowed to get any second chance points. This isn’t a great Wisconsin team on the boards, but …

What’s Going To Happen

The Badgers don’t take a whole slew of bad shots. They don’t make mistakes, Maryland doesn’t force errors, and this should be a bit of a turnaround from the first meeting.

It’s been a weird Maryland team. It was great on the road against Wisconsin, Illinois, and last week against Minnesota. It’s not that great at home.

Again, Wisconsin isn’t going to allow the Terps to hit half of their shots.

Wisconsin vs Maryland Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 68, Maryland 63
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Wisconsin -3.5, o/u: 130.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: Super Bowls ads during the Super Bowl
1: Super Bowls ads any other time

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Coaches Poll College Football Rankings: Big Ten All-Time Greatest Programs

What are the top college football programs of all-time going by the Coaches Poll? Here are the top Big Ten teams according to a CFN formula.

What are the top college football programs of all-time going by the UPI and USA Today Coaches Poll rankings? Here are the top Big Ten programs according to a CFN formula using all the UPI and USA Today Coaches final polls.

Follow us … @ColFootballNews

Coaches Poll College Football Rankings 
All-Time Coaches Poll Rankings | AP All-Time Rankings
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | M-West | Pac-12 | SEC
1950s | 1960s  | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s
2020 Final USA TODAY Coaches Poll

[jwplayer 5yvDjsVN]

Which current Big Ten college football programs are the greatest of all-time according to the UPI and USA Today Coaches final polls?

Using a ranking system taking all the AP final college football polls and assigning 25 points to the national champion, 24 for the final No. 2 team, 23 for the No. 3 team on down, and it’s surprising.

Michigan might have its share of huge years on an all-time scale, but Ohio State’s run of excellence over the last 20+ seasons have changed things up.

One note on this – this is made up of current Big Ten programs and factoring in their histories. Obviously many of these programs weren’t in the Big Ten starting in 1950.

Note, again, this is based on the CFN formula. This isn’t any official ranking coming from USA TODAY or the Coaches Po

Coaches Poll: All-Time Big Ten Final Rankings

1 Ohio State 1007

2 Michigan  783

3 Nebraska 736

4 Penn State 715

5 Michigan State 436

6 Wisconsin 400

7 Iowa 342

8 Maryland  214

9 Purdue  212

10 Illinois 169

11 Minnesota 138

12 Northwestern 104

13 Indiana  56

14 Rutgers 29

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Big Ten Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Big Ten teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Big Ten teams.

[jwplayer GOXHcfXn]

2021 Big Ten Rankings: Pre-Spring

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Why To Be Happy: It’s still Ohio State and it’s still a loaded team with as much talent as anyone in college football. The return of WR Chris Olave for another year is massive, the O line should be almost as good as the 2020 version, and the return of DE Tyreke Smith helps an already great situation on the defensive front. However …

What To Work On: Again, it’s Ohio State – it’ll be more than fine – but the back seven is going to need some tuning up and key replacements. The offense will be deadly again, but the pressure is on CJ Stroud to be the next superstar quarterback and losing RB Trey Sermon hurts a bit.

Bottom Line: Ohio State gets framed differently than everyone in the Big Ten. It’s going to be the league’s best team, and it’s easily the favorite to win another Big Ten title, but – remember, this is January – this version needs a lot more tuning than the 2020 version, which wasn’t as strong as the 2019 team.

2. Michigan Wolverines

Why To Be Happy: Jim Harbaugh is still around … and yeah, that’s a reason to be happy, at least for this year. There might be a few high-profile transfers, but Hassan Haskins is a strong back to lead the way, there are plenty of QB options without Dylan McCaffrey, and the line and receiving corps are experienced. Kwity Paye might be gone on the end, but just about everyone else is back on D.

What To Work On: Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. Really, Michigan has players. Really, the coaching staff is fine. None of it matters unless the Wolverines can finally get top-shelf quarterback play. Cade McNamara, Joe Milton and JJ McCarthy – one of them has to be great.

Bottom Line: Michigan won’t win the Big Ten, but it’ll bounce back to be solid again. Unlike 2020, the Wolverines will beat everyone they’re supposed to, lose one game against a strong team, and then … you know how this works with Ohio State.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Why To Be Happy: The run at the end of the season was more like the real Penn State than the one that got off to a historically disastrous start. Sean Clifford is a veteran now, getting RB John Lovett from Baylor helps, and there are just enough good players coming back – like CB Tariq Castro-Fields – to be okay, but …

What To Work On: There are a whole lot of important parts moving on. From OG Will Fries to DEs Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh to S Lamont Wade and on and on. James Franklin has more strong recruits ready to step up, but in this year when so many teams are so experienced, there are a whole slew of key losses.

Bottom Line: Penn State will be one of the Big Ten’s most interesting calls as the offseason goes on. There are offensive playmakers, and – as always – defensive stars will emerge up front, but there are just enough lost starters to be annoying.

4. Indiana Hoosiers

Why To Be Happy: The Hoosiers get a slew of their guys back. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to return okay from his knee injury, star WR Ty Fryfogle is coming back, and with guard Mackenzie Nworah returning, four starters are expected to be around for the O line. S Jamar Johnson is leaving early for the NFL, but almost everyone else is expected back on the defensive side.

What To Work On: Is Penix really going to be ready? It’ll be less than a year for his knee to heal up. WR Whop Philyor is going to the NFL, and so is RB Stevie Scott from a running game that was among the worst in the nation.

Bottom Line: The expectations are a whole lot higher now, but Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State aren’t going to be that bad again. IU will still be good, but it’ll be a lot more of a fight.

5. Michigan State Spartans

Why To Be Happy: The transfer portal is providing some instant help to a team that already is full of veterans. RB Harold Joiner is coming in from Auburn, QB Anthony Russo is at least a veteran backup option from Temple, and again, there’s a ton of experience back helped by C Matt Allen anchoring the line. But …

What To Work On: After finishing last in the Big Ten in scoring and last in scoring D, there’s a little bit of work to do. The secondary lost a slew of key parts, the offense needs playmakers to emerge, and one of the quarterbacks has to step up and be great.

Bottom Line: Mel Tucker really didn’t get enough time to get things going in his first year, and it’s going to take another year to start to get everything to work. The team will be better, but so will the rest of the Big Ten East.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Why To Be Happy: Rutgers has experience, it has a few actual playmakers, and it has the coaching staff now to have … hope? The offensive backfield should be interesting with enough options to play around with, a little shuffling should lead to a decent O line, and the receiving corps has real, live explosion. The D gets back linebackers Tyshon Fogg and Olakunle Fatukasi to work around.

What To Work On: Even with all of the improvement, the the offense and defense were still the second-worst in the Big Ten, the passing game needs more downfield plays, this is still a building job. However …

Bottom Line: The Scarlet Knights should keep being more and more competitive under Greg Schiano, and they have enough experience to keep building on the 3-6 season that was a whole lot more fun than the final record.

7. Maryland Terrapins

Why To Be Happy: Head coach Mike Locksley is known for being a superstar recruiter, and his team showed glimpses of starting to do something right. Taulia Tagovailoa is the quarterback to work around, there’s a solid recruiting class coming in, and …

What To Work On: Uh oh. There are whole lot of players taking off with leading rusher Jake Funk off to the NFL, top linebacker Chance Campbell transferring out, key DB Antwaine Richardson off to Kent State, and on and on and on. As of right now, 12 Terps are expected to transfer and there’s still plenty of work to do.

Bottom Line: Things are hardly dire, even with the personnel losses. The lines still need working on, and consistency will be vital for a program that hasn’t had any, but there are enough playmakers to be interesting. However, few teams in the Big Ten need every practice more than Maryland.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Big Ten West

2021 Big Ten West Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-11

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Ohio State vs Wisconsin Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Ohio State vs Wisconsin Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 23
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Network: CBS

[jwplayer RCmcqQEC]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Ohio State (11-4) vs Wisconsin (12-3) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Ohio State Will Win

The Buckeyes are crushing from three.

They might have lost to Purdue last time out, but they still hit 14 threes. Okay, so it took 35 tries to get there, but it was their fourth straight game and fifth of the last six with double-digit made threes.

Wisconsin is strong at defending overall and it’s decent at stopping the three, but it’s not amazing at it. What it doesn’t do is force a whole lot of mistakes and take the ball away enough, and Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country at not screwing up. But …

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Wisconsin is even better at not messing up – it’s third in the nation and tops in the Big Ten in the fewest turnovers per game.

That defense is still the defense. It leads the conference, it’s still great at slowing everything down to a stop at times. Yeah there were issues against Michigan – everyone has issues against Michigan – but it clamped down allowing fewer than 70 points in every game but three.

Ohio State doesn’t force mistakes, and it doesn’t move the ball around well enough. You have to do both to get past the Badgers.

What’s Going To Happen

Ohio State will want to get moving, and the Badgers won’t let that happen. The biggest problem will be the lack of made threes from the Buckeyes. They don’t have to generate at least 30 points from beyond the arc to pull this off, but that’s when things are working.

Wisconsin has yet to allow anyone to hit ten three-pointers this year.

Ohio State vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 72, Ohio State 67
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Wisconsin -4.5, o/u: 134
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: A red button for butler-delivered Diet Coke
1: Diet Coke out of a can with a straw

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Wisconsin 42 Wake Forest 28: Duke’s Mayo Bowl 10 Things To Know

Wisconsin 42, Wake Forest 28. The 10 ten things you need to know about the Badger win over the Demon Deacons in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Wisconsin 42, Wake Forest 28. The 10 ten things you need to know about the Badger win over the Demon Deacons in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

[jwplayer Hn8O2tae]

Wisconsin 42 Wake Forest 28: Duke’s Mayo Bowl

10. It’s amazing how good, talented coaches are able to game plan for the start of a bowl, it all works, and then come the adjustments and everything stops. That sort of happened for Oklahoma State against Miami in the Cheez-It Bowl, but the Cowboys were able to hang on. Wake Forest and head coach Dave Clawson came out rocking, everything clicked, and Wisconsin looked totally lost. It was 14-0 Demon Deacons after the first quarter, and then …

9. Wisconsin went Wisconsin. This isn’t the normal Badger team – there was no Jonathan Taylor the of running back, and the receiving corps was gutted over the second half of the season – but it all worked because of the …

8. Badger defense – it figured it out. It got in the throwing lanes of Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman, it forced four interceptions, and the team steamrolled through the second half as it pulled away in stunning fashion. Wisconsin LB Jack Sanborn led the team with 11 tackles two tackles for loss and an interception as the Duke’s Mayo Bowl MVP.

Compared to how the team looked in the first quarter, it was among the wildest turnarounds – it was the biggest bowl comeback in Wisconsin history – of the bowl season.

7. The Wake Forest style was a miserable fit for this game over the long haul. Quickness and an up-tempo attack screws up the Badger D over the years – Wisconsin struggles with crafty quarterbacks and precision passing games – but there has to be some element of ball control or else the Wisconsin system wears teams down. And …

6. The time of possession battle matters. This was supposed to be lopsided Wisconsin’s way, but it wasn’t quite as bad as it should’ve been considering Wake Forest only held the ball for 28 minutes per game. The Badgers had it for eight more minutes, but it could’ve been a whole lot worse.

5. Again, the takeaways. Wake Forest came into the Duke’s Mayo Bowl second in the nation in turnover margin. Take the ball away from the Badgers, and good things tend to happen. A muffed punt snap deep its own territory, and the four Hartman interceptions killed Wake Forest. Wisconsin turned it over once, but it was at the end of the first half on a relatively last gasp deep throw.

4. How weird was this game? Wake Forest came up with 518 yards of total offense. The Badgers hadn’t allowed more than 338 all year, and no one has come up with more yards against the UW D since Ohio State blew out 558 in the 59-0 win in the 2014 Big Ten Championship.

Nebraska came up with 518 in a loss to the Badgers in 2018, but still, this was an impressive offensive day from the Demon Deacons. Wisconsin only gained 266 yards and only outgained Wake Forest 122 yards to 111 on the ground.

3. Wake Forest leading receiver Jaquarii Roberson came into the game with 54 catches for 795 yards and five touchdowns. He wore the Wisconsin secondary as a hat, catching eight passes for 131 yards and three scores, and Donavon Greene caught six passes for 122 yards. There was a whole lot of bending by the Badger D, but again, the turnovers made up for the issues.

2. Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz did his job. Considering Wisconsin just doesn’t have any wide receivers, completing 11-of-17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown was okay, and not throwing any picks was great. He was careful, didn’t force anything, and he let the defense do the rest. He also powered his way for two short touchdown runs.

1. Wisconsin continues to be one of those programs that is just amazing enough to get close to the elite, but can’t quite get over the top. It can’t beat Ohio State in Big Ten championships, and it hasn’t been able to win Rose Bowls when it has had its chances, but under head coach Paul Chryst, it’s now 5-1 in bowl games with the blemish that strange close loss to Justin Herbert and Oregon in last year’s Rose Bowl. Don’t take this for granted.

Wisconsin had a run from the 2008 Outback to the 2014 Capital One going 1-6 in Bowl games. Gary Andersen left, Barry Alvarez took over against Auburn in the 2015 Outback, and since then, the program has just that one Rose Bowl loss in the post season.

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Wisconsin vs Wake Forest: Duke’s Mayo Bowl Prediction, Game Preview

Wisconsin vs Wake Forest: Duke’s Mayo Bowl prediction and game preview.

Wisconsin vs Wake Forest: Duke’s Mayo Bowl prediction and game preview.

Wisconsin vs Wake Forest: Duke’s Mayo Bowl Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, December 30
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: ESPN

[jwplayer 5SHdEDMo]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Wisconsin (3-3) vs Wake Forest (4-4) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM 

Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The Duke’s Mayo Bowl

– It’ll be pure power vs. crafty quickness. Wisconsin’s offense has been injured, inept, and inconsistent after an amazing start, but the defense is No. 1 in the nation overall, No. 1 on third downs, and the team is No. 1 in time of possession.

Wake Forest has a fun, creative attack that doesn’t care a lick about controlling the clock, moves quickly, and doesn’t get a whole lot out of the lines.

– The two teams know how to do bowl games right. Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson is 3-1 in bowls with the program, only losing last year in a good fight against Michigan State in the Pinstripe.

Wisconsin lost to Justin Herbert and Oregon in a thriller of a Rose Bowl last season, but head coach Paul Chryst is 4-1 with the Badgers in bowls.

– The quarterbacks are going to be the story. Wisconsin doesn’t have an elite running back, but Graham Mertz is the highest-ranked quarterback recruit in the program’s history. He’s working through the rough patches of a tough season – the receiving corps has been leveled by injuries – but he’s a talent. Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman is a fun veteran who threw ten touchdown passes and just one interception.

Why Wisconsin, Wake Forest Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History

NEXT: Why Wisconsin Will Win, Why Wake Forest Will Win, Wisconsin vs Wake Forest Prediction

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Big Ten Announces Champions Week Schedule, TV, Game Times

The Big Ten announces its Football Champions Week schedule along with the matchups, game times, and TV broadcast.

The Big Ten announces its Football Champions Week schedule 

[jwplayer L9C4gcUx]

Big Ten Champions Week Schedule

With a shortened season, the Big Ten is keeping its season going with a Champions Week schedule to give teams another game before the bowl season.

Not everyone is a lock to go – Michigan is questionable, at best – and the original plan was scrapped, but the schedule is decent with a few traditional rivalries back on.

Originally, the idea was for the No. 2 team from the East to play the No. 2 team from the West, and so on. Instead, the league is going with the most interesting possible matchups.

Nebraska at Rutgers

Date: Friday, December 18
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway NJ
Network: BTN

Purdue at Indiana

Date: Friday, December 18
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Network: BTN

Big Ten Championship

Ohio State vs. Northwestern

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: FOX

Minnesota at Wisconsin

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Network: BTN

Illinois at Penn State

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 5:30 ET
Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Network: FS1

Michigan at Iowa

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Network: ESPN

Michigan State at Maryland

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD
Network: BTN

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 15

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 15 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 15 of the season.

[jwplayer mCnZfCoK]

Results So Far
SU: 23-18, ATS: 22-18, Point Total: 19-21
– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Saturday, December 12

Illinois at Northwestern

12:00 ESPN2
Line: Northwestern -14.5, o/u: 40.5

Minnesota at Nebraska

12:00 FS1
Line: Nebraska -11, o/u: 59

Rutgers at Maryland

12:00 BTN
Line: Maryland -8.5, o/u: 58.5

Wisconsin at Iowa

3:30 FS1
Line: PICK, o/u: 42

[lawrence-related id=524820]

Michigan State at Penn State

3:30 ESPN
Line: Penn State -15.5, o/u: 47

Michigan at Ohio State

Canceled

Purdue at Indiana

Canceled

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Iowa vs Wisconsin Prediction, Game Preview

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers prediction and game preview.

Iowa vs Wisconsin prediction and game preview.

Iowa vs Wisconsin Broadcast

Date: Saturday, December 12
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Network: FS1

[jwplayer 8uFfvOsG]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Iowa (5-2) vs Wisconsin (2-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Wisconsin Will Win

The Wisconsin defense continues to be special.

The Badgers lead the the nation in total defense by a relative mile – allowing just 229 yards per game – run defense, third down defense, and time of possession. They’re holding he ball a whopping 3:18 a game more than the No. 2 team in time of possession, Rice.

Iowa passing game is okay, but nothing special. It doesn’t have to run to win, but it has to be at least decent, and it has to do something to control the clock – it’s going to lose the time battle by at least ten minutes.

Worst of all for the Hawkeyes, they’re awful on third downs, and now they have to deal with that D that allowed teams to covert just 24% of the time.

– Week 15 College Schedule

Why Iowa Will Win

The Wisconsin offense continues to be awful.

Most of the top wide receivers are banged up, the running game can’t get going – it ran for 140 yards or fewer in back-to-back games for the first time since early in the 2016 season – and the team just can’t score.

The offense hasn’t stalled, but it can’t put the biscuit in the basket. The last time the program failed to score more than seven points in back-to-back games was in early November of 1991.

Iowa hasn’t been spectacular, but it’s been rock-solid with great line play – it’s Iowa – a good turnover margin, and enough of an offensive balance to be fine. It’s a formula team that isn’t going to be great in shootouts, but handles itself well in tough battles.

Welcome to the Wisconsin game.

– CFN Experts Picks: Week 15

What’s Going To Happen

It’s going to be a low-scoring battle with neither team able to establish anything throughout the game. However, Wisconsin is stalling way too much.

It’s a simple problem. Defenses are loading up against a running game that’s missing a Jonathan Taylor-type of back, Graham Mertz doesn’t have the top targets to throw to and hesitates a bit too much, and the whole thing has come to a stop.

The offense will get creative, but it won’t work well enough. Iowa will have to live off of several Keith Duncan field goals, but it’ll come up with a strong, tough home win.

– CFN Experts Picks: NFL

Iowa vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Iowa 19, Wisconsin 13
Bet on Iowa vs Wisconsin with BetMGM
PICK, o/u: 42
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Wonder Woman 1984
1: A Holly Dolly Christmas

CFN 1-127 Rankings | Bowl & CFP Projections

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]