PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* EARLY BEST OF THE BEST >> Noon ET Kickoff!
(NCAAF) Wisconsin vs. Iowa,
Point Spread: -3.50 | -106.00 Wisconsin (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -3.50 | -106.00 Wisconsin (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Badgers opened 4-0 but have now lost hard-fought games to two of the nation's top-3 teams, 14-7 at Michigan and 30-23 (OT) at home to Ohio State, with a bye week sandwiched between those games. No rest for the weary this Saturday, as the Badgers visit Iowa and are in desperate need of a win to remain in the Big Ten West race. A loss potentially would put the Badgers three games behind front-running Nebraska, which plays host to lowly Purdue this week. Iowa (5-2 / 3-1 in the Big Ten) can stay right in the West race by moving to 4-1 by beating Wisconsin.
Wisconsin: Badgers head coach Paul Chryst is primarily concerned about bouncing back from last week's home loss to Ohio State (Wisconsin led 16-6 at halftime) and getting his team healthy. Wisconsin came out of the Ohio State game banged up. A long list of players are questionable on this week's injury report, including linebacker Vince Biegel, nose tackle Olive Sagapolu, wide receiver Robert Wheelwright, linebacker Zack Baun, offensive lineman Jon Dietzen, running back Taiwan Deal and safety Keelon Brookins. The Badgers ran for 236 yards against Ohio State last week as senior Corey Clement recorded a season-high 164 to push his total to 483 in five games. However, Wisconsin is averaging a modest 174.0 YPC on 4.0 YPC to rank 67th. Two QBs have a combined for seven TDs and eight INTs, while completing 58.7 percent of their passes. Freshman QB Hornibrook is the starter now, and finished with a career-high 214 yards passing versus the Buckeyes.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have rebounded from shocking home losses to North Dakota State and Northwestern but is now back in the thick of things in the Big Ten West, trailing only 3-0 Nebraska at 3-1. C.J. Beathard is a solid QB (60.1% with 11 TDs and 4 INTs) but nothing special. Wadley (592 / 7.4 YPC / 8 TDs) and Daniels, Jr (589 yards / 5.4 YPC / 6 TDs) equally contribute to a running game averaging 180.0 YPG (4.8 YPC). The defense is typically solid, allowing 189.1 PPG (21st).
The pick: The Heartland Trophy game between Iowa and Wisconsin is always hard-hitting and usually highly competitive. Iowa won in Madison 10-6 last year but the previous three meetings were all won by the Badgers, with all three being played in Iowa City. The knee-jerk reaction is to call for a Badger letdown off the back-to-back losses but remember Wisconsin's three straight wins here in Iowa City plus the fact that since the start of the 2014, the Badgers are an impressive 8-2 SU in true road games. If North Dakota St. and Northwestern (on Homecoming, no less) can win in Iowa City, why not Wisconsin. The Badgers get to host Nebraska at home on Oct. 29 but losing here makes that meeting moot. Wisconsin's defense, allowing 15.2 PPG (9th) is the difference and makes the Badgers a 10* play.
Wisconsin: Badgers head coach Paul Chryst is primarily concerned about bouncing back from last week's home loss to Ohio State (Wisconsin led 16-6 at halftime) and getting his team healthy. Wisconsin came out of the Ohio State game banged up. A long list of players are questionable on this week's injury report, including linebacker Vince Biegel, nose tackle Olive Sagapolu, wide receiver Robert Wheelwright, linebacker Zack Baun, offensive lineman Jon Dietzen, running back Taiwan Deal and safety Keelon Brookins. The Badgers ran for 236 yards against Ohio State last week as senior Corey Clement recorded a season-high 164 to push his total to 483 in five games. However, Wisconsin is averaging a modest 174.0 YPC on 4.0 YPC to rank 67th. Two QBs have a combined for seven TDs and eight INTs, while completing 58.7 percent of their passes. Freshman QB Hornibrook is the starter now, and finished with a career-high 214 yards passing versus the Buckeyes.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have rebounded from shocking home losses to North Dakota State and Northwestern but is now back in the thick of things in the Big Ten West, trailing only 3-0 Nebraska at 3-1. C.J. Beathard is a solid QB (60.1% with 11 TDs and 4 INTs) but nothing special. Wadley (592 / 7.4 YPC / 8 TDs) and Daniels, Jr (589 yards / 5.4 YPC / 6 TDs) equally contribute to a running game averaging 180.0 YPG (4.8 YPC). The defense is typically solid, allowing 189.1 PPG (21st).
The pick: The Heartland Trophy game between Iowa and Wisconsin is always hard-hitting and usually highly competitive. Iowa won in Madison 10-6 last year but the previous three meetings were all won by the Badgers, with all three being played in Iowa City. The knee-jerk reaction is to call for a Badger letdown off the back-to-back losses but remember Wisconsin's three straight wins here in Iowa City plus the fact that since the start of the 2014, the Badgers are an impressive 8-2 SU in true road games. If North Dakota St. and Northwestern (on Homecoming, no less) can win in Iowa City, why not Wisconsin. The Badgers get to host Nebraska at home on Oct. 29 but losing here makes that meeting moot. Wisconsin's defense, allowing 15.2 PPG (9th) is the difference and makes the Badgers a 10* play.
