College Football Game Day Preview: Purdue vs Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers (3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS) at Wisconsin Badgers (5-2 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Saturday, October 31: 12:00 p.m.
BetUS.com Football Betting Odds: Wisconsin -6 ½
Here are some BetUS.com Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:
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Purdue: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
Purdue: 0-5 SU in their last 5 road games
Purdue: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 6 games
Wisconsin: 22-3 SU in their last 25 home games
Wisconsin: 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against Purdue
Wisconsin: 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against Purdue
Two teams looking for respect in the Big 10 will battle Saturday afternoon, when the Purdue Boilermakers hit the road for just the third time this year, to face the Wisconsin Badgers.
Despite only having three wins all year, Purdue is on a two game winning streak. One of the biggest victories in recent memory came two Saturday’s ago, when the Boilermakers shocked then No. 7 Ohio State at home. 
Scoring points isn’t a problem for Purdue. On the season, they are averaging 27 points and over 401 yards per game. Their 254 passing yards per contest is ranked 32nd in college football. And a lot of the credit has to go to quarterback Joey Elliot. On the season he has thrown for over 2000 yards, and 14 touchdowns. While his interceptions have been concerning (10), it is important to note that in the Boilermakers two recent wins, he’s thrown just one. Ralph Bolden is one of the Big 10’s best running backs as he has 720 yards. However, keep in mind that about half of those came in Purdue’s first two games.
Defensively, the Boilermakers do need some work, but again they’ve been much better in the last two weeks. They give up an average of 26 points and 360 yards, but in the last two games have given up just an average of 16 points. Whether they can continue that trend will be important Saturday.
As for Wisconsin, they are coming off a rare Big 10 bye week, as they’ll play a game in December while most of the conference has that week off.
They are led by a very balanced offensive attack that features a solid quarterback in Scott Tolzien (1400 yards, nine touchdowns) and running back John Clay (716 yards). Clay was a little banged up a few weeks back against Iowa, and the bye week and rest, should have done him so good.
On defense, it’s got to be a little concerning for head coach Bret Bielema that his Badgers have given up quite a few points in their last few games. However, all the blame cannot be placed on the defense as they gave up just 283 yards to Iowa two weeks ago, and held Ohio State’s to 184 a week before that. In that Ohio State game, the Buckeyes scored two defensive touchdowns, as well as a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Saturday’s game will be an interesting one. Purdue is battling to try and make a bowl game under first year coach Danny Hope, and with just four games left after this one, it becomes important that they find a way to get a victory. However, Wisconsin is coming off back-to-back losses, followed by an off week. You’d have to assume that a sense of urgency is kicking in for them as well.
After going back and forth on this one for quite some time, I’m going to go with Wisconsin. Purdue is actually a lot better then people realize, but they are also getting Wisconsin at home, at the wrong time, as the Badgers have had two weeks to prepare for the Boilermakers. Look for Wisconsin to be much more fluid on offense and control this game from the start. Take the home team giving the points in this weeks BetUS.com college football betting odds.
OUR Pick: Wisconsin -6 ½
