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The Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (1-2) Friday at 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Wisconsin vs. Purdue odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Luke Fickell has taken over as Wisconsin coach and with offensive coordinator Phil Longo are attempting to transform the Badgers scheme. While results are mixed thus far, the foundation is there for Wisconsin to get better as the season plays on.
After losing 31-22 to Washington State in Week 2, Wisconsin forced 6 turnovers and beat Georgia Southern 35-14 on Saturday.
Purdue has found the early season difficult. After losing 39-35 to Fresno State to start the season, it is coming off another home loss, 35-20 to Syracuse. With new coach Ryan Walter not having the season he had hoped for in his 1st year, a win over Wisconsin would be an effective way to get started on a rebuild.
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Wisconsin at Purdue odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wisconsin -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Purdue +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wisconsin -5.5 (-110) | Purdue +5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Wisconsin at Purdue picks and predictions
Prediction
Wisconsin 34, Purdue 31
Moneyline
PASS.
Wisconsin looked better in beating Georgia Southern and the key was the offense turning the 6 turnovers from the defense into points. And it should win this game. Purdue has struggled mightily in the early part of the season and +180 is not enough to want to make a play on them and no wager should be made at -220.
Against the spread
Take PURDUE +5.5 (-110) to cover the spread at home.
While coach Walter does not have the defense playing up to the level he had at Illinois in 2022, the offense has been able to score. It will be able to score in this game against a Wisconsin defense which also has not lived up to its reputation.
Wisconsin has won 16 straight games against Purdue. But this meeting will be different as both come in with new coaches and bad defenses. This will be a high-scoring game. But a game in which Purdue should be able to keep it within the +5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
OVER 53.5 (-115) is the easy side to take in this game.
Purdue is known for playing high-level offense. Despite its struggles in 2023, this has remained as the Boilermakers are averaging 26.3 points per game.
With the Wisconsin defense finding it difficult to stop offenses (allowing 20.7 PPG), including allowing 31 points to Washington State, Purdue will find success.
But Purdue’s defense is also not playing well this season, allowing 30.3 PPG (106th of 133). Wisconsin’s offense averages 31.7 PPG and should score in the 30’s Saturday.
So 53.5 (-115) is too low for a total. This game should be closer to 57 and I will take the value play.
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