Where Wisconsin football stands in ESPN SP+ entering big game vs. No. 1 Oregon

Where Wisconsin football stands in ESPN SP+ entering big game vs. No. 1 Oregon

Wisconsin will enter Saturday’s matchup against the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks as sizable underdogs.

Aside from the Las Vegas spread, every metric system projects a big gap between the two teams — and understandably so. Oregon is 10-0 on the season, 7-0 in Big Ten play and has won each of its last four games by at least 21 points. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is 5-4 on the season and recently allowed 329 rushing yards in a blowout loss to Iowa.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin football entering big game vs. No. 1 Oregon

ESPN SP+ is one of those metrics. Wisconsin exits its bye week ranked No. 44 overall (No. 86 offense, No. 22 defense) with an overall rating of 5.9. Oregon is up at No. 3 overall (No. 2 offense, No. 10 defense) with a rating of 27.4.

Ignoring factors like home-field advantage, SP+ sees the Ducks as 21.5 points better than the Badgers at this stage of the season.

Wisconsin enters the matchup after consecutive the losses, including the mentioned blowout at Iowa. The team sits one win short of bowl eligibility. It could clinch a postseason berth and then some with an upset win over the Ducks.

The matchup is Wisconsin’s first home game against a No. 1-ranked team in the AP Poll since it famously defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State in 2010. Luke Fickell and company will look to repeat that well-known performance.

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