This week’s game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-1) and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) has the makings of a pivotal matchup. This game will feature the Big 10’s second-leading passer, Joel Stave (666 yards, 6 TDs), and the MWC’s third-leading passer, Max Wittek (541 yards, 5 TDs). It starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep 26 and will air on BTN and the BTN2.
Wisconsin routed Troy 28-3 last week. Austin Traylor had a solid game in the win, totaling two receptions for 39 yards and one TD. Joel Stave had a big game as well, totaling 202 yards and a TD through the air. Not to be outdone, Hawaii blew out UC Davis 47-27 in its matchup. Paul Harris had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Rainbow Warriors, gaining 147 yards and one TD on 11 carries. Marcus Kemp also had a big game with 119 yards and a TD on five receptions.
The Badgers are a substantial 27-point favorite and the Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is presently uavailable.
Heading into Week 4 of the college football season, the Badgers are 2-1 Straight Up (SU) and 1-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Don’t anticipate Hawaii will have much success running the ball against the Badgers. The Rainbow Warriors average 124.3 rushing yards per game, 110th in the nation. The Badgers defense will be hungry against Hawaii, who rank 101st in the nation with 2.3 turnovers committed per game. Keep an eye on Wisconsin to turn it up a notch during the second quarter, when it averages 12.7 points per game.
Across the field, the Rainbow Warriors have 2-1 SU and ATS records this season. The Rainbow Warriors are one of the best in the nation at limiting their opponents’ passing attack, allowing a Division I-low average of just 9.3 yards per pass. Don’t expect many calls against the Rainbow Warriors on game day. They average only 42 penalty yards per game, the 25th-fewest in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin
Notes
Wisconsin is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
Wisconsin is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Wisconsin’s last 6 games.
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Both teams are 2-0 SU when leading at the half this season, and both teams are 0-1 when losing at halftime.
The Wisconsin passing attack is ranked only 70th in the nation, while the Hawaii pass defense is ranked 49th. The Rainbow Warriors passing game is ranked just 101st, compared to the 54th-ranked pass defense of the Badgers.
