Two squads with very different seasons in 2017, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are meeting the Badgers of No. 4 Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9:00 p.m. ET and ESPN will televise the action.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
Western Kentucky is a big road underdog here and is currently receiving 36 points from bookmakers. There might be some good in-game betting scenarios for this matchup, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 51 points.
The original odds have changed, as the line opened at -35. The game’s over/under hasn’t changed after being initially placed at 51.
The Hilltoppers went 3-9-1 against the spread (ATS) last year. The under hit in seven of their games while the over cashed on six occasions. The Badgers put together an ATS record of 9-5 with an O/U record of 8-6.
Overall, the Hilltoppers went 6-7 straight-up (SU) last season while the Badgers posted a nearly perfect 13-1 SU record in 2017. When playing against conference competition, the Hilltoppers finished 4-4 SU and the Badgers were 9-0 SU against Big Ten schools. The Hilltoppers went 2-2 SU against teams out of conference while the Badgers were 3-0 SU against non-conference schools.
The Hilltoppers logged 354 passing yards per game and 80 rushing yards per game versus their eight CUSA opponents last year. The team managed to score 28.3 points per game against those opponents while giving up 29.1 per contest. When facing out-of-conference schools, they averaged 22.0 points and 22.3 points-allowed, in addition to 294 pass yards per game and 38 rush yards per contest.
Against out-of-conference competition, the Badgers passed for 236 yards per game and ran for 275 per game on their way to 43.3 points per outing. When facing just Big 10 opponents, the offensive unit managed 32.0 points per game by averaging 165 passing yards and 233 rushing yards. The Badgers defense allowed 10.0 PPG to non-conference foes and 12.7 to teams in conference in 2017
The Badgers could have the edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs generated 5.0 yards per carry last season while their defense held opponents to 3.2 yards per rush attempt. The Hilltoppers ran for 2.0 YPC last year while allowing 4.4 YPC to opponents.
Free Pick: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Wisconsin Badgers
SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Hilltoppers offensive line allowed 48 sacks last season. Their defense created 12 sacks.
Wisconsin quarterbacks were sacked 21 times last year. Their defense sacked opposing quarterbacks 42 times.
+++++
