As part of an action-packed football Saturday, the Army Black Knights (4-1) will travel to take on the Wisconsin Badgers (2-3). The game is set to kick at 8 p.m. ET at Camp Randall Stadium Below, we look at the Army at Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Wisconsin’s record may not indicate that it’s entering as heavy favorites, but when noticing losses to Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan, all top-15 teams, the record becomes more respectable.
The Badgers are led by sophomore QB Graham Mertz, a former four-star recruit. Rushing the ball 61 times in its last game (24-0 win vs. Illinois Oct. 9), it’s clear where Wisconsin would like to focus moving forward.
As for Army, it has held its opponents to under 50 yards on the ground in three of its five games this season. It only lost to Ball State so far this season.
Wisconsin and next week’s matchup against Wake Forest will truly test this Army side. While an underdog, Army is nearing 35 points per game, so this shouldn’t be an easy steamrolling at home for the Badgers.
Army at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Army +440 (bet $100 to win $440) | Wisconsin -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Army +13.5 (-102) | Wisconsin -13.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Army at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Wisconsin 24, Army 13
Money line
PASS. While I like Wisconsin to win at home, it hasn’t proven enough for the -650 to even be close to worthwhile. I’d stay far away from its money line and look toward a better value.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to ARMY +13.5 (-102) as the better of the two options on the spread.
Army has been playing well this season, and its defense should limit Wisconsin’s run game. Army ranks fourth in the nation in opponents’ yards per rush, while Wisconsin ranks first.
While many of Army’s wins haven’t been overly impressive, like not completing a single pass against Miami (OH), the Badgers have a banged-up Mertz and will be playing right into Army’s style of play.
Given the strong run defense and heavy reliance on the run by both programs, I’d expect a low-scoring game, one in which Army should be able to hang close.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 37.5 (-105) as the no-brainer gamble of the game. What Wisconsin’s defense did to Illinois’ offense last week was mightily impressive.
The Badgers held the Fighting Illini scoreless. Earlier in the season, they held Penn State to just 16 points. They allowed the least yards per rush in the entire CFB. That’s a recipe for success against Army.
It’s vice versa as well, making this a run-heavy matchup. Expect a ton of rushing against two good rushing defenses. That has all the makings of an Under, even at this already-low total.
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