Free College Football Pick: Wisconsin vs Illinois
Published by Dennis Stagliano in football betting · 21 October 2023
Wisconsin is coming off a loss at home against Iowa despite outgaining the Hawkeyes as it was -2 in turnovers and could not solve the stout Iowa defense. The Badgers have outgained all but two opponents this season and those two were just by a combined 12 yards as turnovers have been a difference throughout the season, losing the takeaway battle four times. The other loss was at Washington St. where they were -3 in turnovers so had they taken better care of the ball in both nine-point defeats, Wisconsin could be undefeated right now.
The Badgers own defense checks the boxes as they are No. 38 overall and No. 20 in scoring while the offense has a much easier test this week despite the loss of quarterback Tanner Mordecai.. Illinois is coming off an upset at Maryland as a 13-point underdog despite getting outgained and that was the sixth time in seven games the Liili have been outgained. The win can bring in some momentum but being on the wrong side of the stats game in and game out is a problem.
The three wins have been by a combined 12 points while their four losses have been by a total of 66 points and all have been by double digits. The offense has struggled to score as they are No. 119 in scoring offense and defensively they have been bad all around, ranking No. 82 or worse in overall, scoring, rushing and passing defense. This is a great bounce back spot for Wisconsin and it will have revenge in mind after a 24-point home loss last season. Play Wisconsin -2.5
