The Wisconsin Badgers delivered again in a 24-10 win over the Michigan Wolverines last week. They are now one win away from completing the perfect regular season. Wisconsin will travel this week with a chance to finish what they started and remain undefeated when they visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. The Badgers have already booked their spot in the Big Ten Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes but could move one step closer to College Football Playoff spot with a lopsided win this weekend. Wisconsin is expected to dominate as a 17-point road favorite against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have had a rough go of things after starting 3-0. They have lost six of their last eight and are coming off a very deflating 39-0 loss at Northwestern. Can they rebound with a shocking win and become bowl eligible?
Details
Odds: Wisconsin -17
Date & Time: Saturday November 25th, 2017 – 3:30 PM ET
Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Broadcast: ABC
Reasons To Bet On The Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are still undefeated but they are ranked just ninth according to ESPN’s Football Power Index heading in to this week. One thing that Wisconsin has going for it is its resiliency in big games. Just when it seemed as though the tide was turning against the Badgers last week they bounced back and scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to pull away from Michigan. It’s that ability to respond to adversity that has made Wisconsin so dangerous this season. The Badgers need to remain focused on taking down Minnesota this week and not get caught looking too far ahead to its Big Ten Championship game date with the Buckeyes. Wisconsin has scored 24 points or more in each of five straight wins but it’s the defense that has been the story for this program all year. The Badgers rank second in the nation with an average of 13.1 points allowed per game this season. As long as they show up again this weekend it will be tough for the Golden Gophers to keep up with Wisconsin.
Reasons To Bet On The Minnesota Golden Gophers
P.J. Fleck’s first season in Minnesota has had some high points but the consistency from start to finish just hasn’t been there. The Golden Gophers seemed to run out of gas in last week’s 39-0 loss at Northwestern and their prospects of bouncing back this week don’t exactly look good. Sophomore quarterback Demry Croft completed just 2-of-11 pass attempts for 43 yards in the loss to the Wildcats. Croft has really struggled under center for Minnesota and he enters this week with four touchdowns compared to just seven interceptions. The Golden Gophers defense has been pretty good overall but there is just no way they can perform at a high level unless the offense produces at a higher level and wins the time of possession game. Minnesota has allowed an average of 22.1 points per game this season but don’t expect them to hold the Badgers to that mark this weekend.
Outlook
Wisconsin opened up as a 16-point favorite in this spot but the line has climbed since. It now sits on the key number of -17. As for the total, it opened up and currently sits at 43.
Wisconsin is one win away from completing an undefeated regular season and reaching the Big Ten Championship game as a legitimate playoff contender. The Badgers can’t afford to get caught looking too far ahead to that date with Ohio State and it doesn’t make sense to expect them to. Wisconsin has consistently demonstrated a focus and sense of urgency with each passing week and that should continue against a Minnesota side that is simply outmatched heading in to this weekend. The Badgers will win and cover on the road as substantial road favorites and add to their momentum heading in to the postseason. Although it’s been a positive season for Minnesota, they have dropped three of their last four – all by at least a touchdown – and now they’re in a tough spot.
Pick: Wisconsin -17
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