Free NCAA Football Prediction: Badgers vs. Wildcats Odds
Looking for Wisconsin Badgers vs. Northwestern Wildcats free picks? College football betting sees the Badgers taking on the Wildcats on Saturday, November 8th at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 6 predictions like this WIS-NW free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 6
(2-3) Wisconsin Badgers vs. Northwestern Wildcats (1-4)
Date: Saturday, October 8th, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: WIS -10 | NW +10 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Badgers -375 | Wildcats +300
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 44.5
The Wisconsin Badgers will travel to Evanston and take on the Northwestern Wildcats from Ryan Field this Saturday on the Big Ten Network. Wisconsin will open as the 10-point road favorites here, with the total opening at 44.5.
HISTORY: The Wisconsin/Northwestern rivalry dates at the way back to 1891, with the schools facing off in nearly every season since 1934. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 61-37, but they’ve split each of the last eight matchups.
Wisconsin Badgers
t’s been rough for Wisconsin early, and an unexpected coaching change now puts DC and former safety Jim Leohnard at the forefront. Losses to Washington State and Ohio State put a lot of pressure on last weekend’s matchup, as their former head coach would be returning to town with his new Big Ten team.
In Week 5, Wisconsin lost to a Bret Bielema-led Illinois team at home, 34-10, dropping to 2-3 ATS this season.
Wisconsin is scoring 29.8 points per game, while allowing 22.1 ppg.
The Graham Mertz era took a turn for the worse last weekend. The third-year starter was sacked first times in the loss to Illinois, and he has to get things going here after two poor starts to begin Big Ten play. Mertz has thrown for 997 passing yards with eight touchdowns to five interceptions.
The run game has long been a staple of the Wisconsin program. From Ron Dayne to Jonathan Taylor, the Badgers have always produced pro-ready backs. Braelon Allen and Chaz Mellusi have split the backfield work this season, but they were both bottled by Bret Bielema’s defense last weekend.
Allen leads the Badgers with 499 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while Mellusi has rushed for 192 yards and a score. Third-year wideout Chimere Dike leads the team in receptions (15) and yards (257).
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern opened the season with an upset victory over Nebraska in Ireland, but they’ve come up just a bit short in each game since. Non-conference home losses to Duke, Southern Illinois, and Miami (OH) marred a beauty start in Europe, but they put a scare on a conference power last weekend.
In Week 5, Northwestern lost to Penn State in Happy Valley, 17-7, covering for the first time in four weeks.
Northwestern scores 19.8 points per game, while allowing 24.8 ppg.
Ryan Hilinski had a tough time last weekend, as the messy conditions led to sloppy play. The junior quarterback only completed 40% of his passes, and a pair of turnovers led to 14 Penn State points, which ultimately decided that one. He’ll have a chance to sting Wisconsin with a strong performance at home.
Hilinski has thrown for 1,404 passing yards with six touchdowns to four interceptions.
Evan Hull has been dynamic through the first three games, and look for Pat Fitzgerald to turn him lose here. The junior running back has been quiet over the past two weeks, but he’s stuffed the stat sheet thus far. Through five games, Hull has 415 rushing yards, 32 catches, 343 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns (3 rush, 1 rec)
Malik Washington leads the wideout core with 31 receptions for 347 receiving yards.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- WIS are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- NW are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Badgers are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 6 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
Wisconsin quietly finds themselves in no-man’s land here. With their Big Ten title hopes fading, the Badgers have to stop the bleeding now. Are they capable of covering on the road against a team that just seems to keep coming close? This Graham Mertz-offense is hard to trust right now, especially on the road, so we’ll bet against it.
This game has Big Ten written all over it, so look for some physical football, where whoever loses the turnover battle will lose the game. Fade the points for this Big Ten bout and take the under. Spot Northwestern the points if you’re feeling spicy.
4* Free Week 6 NCAA Betting Pick: Under 44.5
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