The Wisconsin Badgers (6-6) and No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-5) meet in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Tuesday at the Chase Field in Phoenix. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Wisconsin limps into bowl season after dropping 2 of the final 3 games, including rivalry games for Paul Bunyan’s axe against Minnesota, and the Heartdale Trophy against Iowa. The Badgers are on an 0-3 ATS skid, too, cashing the Under in 3 of the final 4 outings.
The Badgers have performed well in bowl games of late, going 7-1 SU in 8 outings dating back to Jan. 1, 2015. That includes a 20-13 win over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl last season, although it just failed to cover at most shops as a 7.5-point favorite.
Oklahoma State does a little limping of its own into bowl season. The Cowboys dropped the final 2 games, falling to West Virginia in the finale 24-19 while getting blasted 28-13 at Oklahoma in its annual Bedlam rivalry game. OSU is 1-4 SU/ATS in its last 5 games.
Like the Badgers, the Cowboys have also been red-hot in postseason games. Oklahoma State has won 5 of its past 6 bowl appearances, including a 37-35 win in the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame last season. The Cowboys are perfect (6-0) ATS in the last 6 bowl games.
This game features a lot of players who have entered the transfer portal, and 1 major star is injured, too.
Wisconsin’s list of players out for Tuesday’s game include RB Braelon Allen (1,121 rushing yards, 10 rush TD) due to injury, while those notable players hitting the transfer portal include WR Markus Allen, QB Graham Mertz (2,136 passing yards, 19 TD) and RB Isaac Guerendo (390 rushing yards, 5 rush TD) on offense. Guerendo was also the primary kick return guy, too.
On defense, Wisconsin’s NT Keeanu Benton (20 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks) and LB Nick Herbig (32 solo tackles, 11 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) declared for the NFL Draft and are out.
Oklahoma State’s leading passer QB Spencer Sanders (2,652 passing yards, 17 TD, 391 rushing yards, 8 TD) is out after entering the portal, as is leading rusher RB Dominic Richardson (543 rushing yards, 8 rush TD) and leading receiver WR Braylin Presley (61 catches, 739 receiving yards, 2 TD).
On D, Oklahoma State lost leading tackler LB Mason Cobb (96 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble) to the portal, as well as DE Tyler Lacy (27 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).
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Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 1:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wisconsin -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Oklahoma State +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wisconsin -3 (-118) | Oklahoma State +3 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -111 | U: -109)
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State picks and predictions
Prediction
Oklahoma State 23, Wisconsin 19
Moneyline
OKLAHOMA STATE (+145) is worth a roll of the dice as short ‘dogs in this bowl game. The Cowboys usually show out in bowl games, posting a 21-11 SU all-time record in bowl games, but that’s not why they’re the play.
Wisconsin (-170) suffered much heavier losses on their side due to the transfer portal, opt outs and a big injury to Braelon Allen. It’s too much to handle. QB Chase Wolf is expected to start, and he was 2-of-6 for 21 yards in his lone appearance this season.
The Cowboys likely will see a combination of veteran QB Garret Rangel and the coach’s son, QB Gunnar Gundy, under center. They have a touch more experience than Wolf, and they won’t have to deal with Benton and Herbig breathing down their necks.
Against the spread
OKLAHOMA STATE +3 (-102) would be a little more attractive at +3.5, but it’s not a bad play catching the 3 points. The better value is playing the money line straight up, however.
Over/Under
UNDER 44.5 (-109) is the lean here, as both teams will have some inexperience under center, while both sides also do not have their leading rusher, either.
It’s hard to imagine who is going to be moving the chains on either side. Of course, there are some big defensive players on both sides missing, too, which could open things up.
Go Under, but go a little lightly, mostly just due to the roster uncertainty. The guys who are playing are going to want to show out, and we could see some surprising performances.
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