The No. 6 Badgers of Wisconsin (-23) are ready to welcome the BYU Cougars to Camp Randall Stadium. This key afternoon game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC will televise the action.
BYU Cougars at Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
Wisconsin is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 23 points to BYU. This tilt is a toss-up, and the over/under for this game has not been determined yet.
The line opened at -22, but has recently shifted.
The Cougars have gained 2.1 units this season and are 1-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 0-2. The Badgers have gained 0.0 units in 2018. The team is 0-2 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-1.
The Cougars are 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Badgers are 2-0 SU.
The Cougars fell to California 21-18 in a matchup where their defense allowed the Golden Bears to eat up the clock by rushing for 184 yards on 38 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Kanawai Noa had a productive day for the Golden Bears in that one with 93 yards and a score on seven catches. On the offense, Tanner Mangum completed just 22 passes on 41 attempts for 196 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Squally Canada (49 yards on 16 rush attempts) spearheaded the ground attack in the loss. Moroni Laulu-Pututau (five receptions, 56 yards) and Aleva Hifo (three catches, 23 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Wisconsin is coming off of a 45-14 win over New Mexico. The defensive unit did its job in the victory, limiting the Lobos to only 134 passing yards and 77 yards on the ground. Tyrone Owens had a good outing in the loss for New Mexico, recording 57 rushing yards on 13 attempts. For Wisconsin, Alex Hornibrook completed eight-of-11 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jonathan Taylor logged an outstanding statline in the win. In addition to 253 yards on 33 rush attempts (and three TDs), Taylor also reeled in five catches for 134 yards and one TD.
BYU has run the ball on 52.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wisconsin has a rush percentage of 69 percent. The Cougars have produced 137 rush yards/game and have three touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Badgers are logging 326 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Badgers should hold an advantage in terms of RB effectiveness, as their running backs has generated 6.6 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 3.1 to opponents. The Cougars have recorded 3.6 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.3 to opponents.
The Cougars offense has averaged 203 yards through the air overall and has two passing TDs so far. The Badgers have produced 204 pass yards per game and have four total pass scores.
BYU has allowed opponents to run for an average of 157 yards and pass for 206 yards per game. The Wisconsin defense has allowed 157.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 100.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Badgers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.79 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars have given up a 5.91 ANY/A.
Offensively, Mangum has put up 196 passing yards this season. He’s completed 54 percent of his 41 attempts with one passing scores and two interceptions. He has a 2.60 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 4.80 over the past two outings.
We expect the BYU offense to mix it up in this one. Squally Canada, Aleva Hifo and Moroni Laulu-Pututau have combined to account for 357 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
On the other sideline, Alex Hornibrook has completed 8-of-11 passes for 148 yards, one TD and one INT. Hornibrook’s ANY/A stands at 9.67 for the season and 8.98 across his last two games.
We’re thinking the Badgers will control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with WR A.J. Taylor (134 receiving yards, one receiving TD this season), Jonathan Taylor (253 rush yards, three rush TDs) and Taiwan Deal (57 rush yards) have brought significant production to the Badgers’ recent offensive gameplans.
When these two teams met last year, Wisconsin knocked off BYU handily 40-6.
Betting Prediction: BYU Cougars vs. Wisconsin Badgers
SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – BYU
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Wisconsin offense has lost two fumbles this season while BYU has yet to lose any
The Wisconsin defense has sacked opposing QBs two times this season. BYU has produced one sacks.
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