No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0) at No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers (4-0)
One of the most anticipated games of the year is being played today. Nebraska in it's first year in the Big Ten Conference faces off against the Big Ten's top team. Both teams are undefeated but how they got there are two different stories. Wisconsin has been blowing past it's opponents thus far. Nebraska on the other hand has had to fight tooth and nail in two of the games. This fact is the only reason why this spread is as large as it is. Wisconsin is favored by 10 points. This is a hefty amount considering both teams are tier 1 college programs with an undefeated record. Oddsmakers are thinking that Wisconsin is so much better than Nebraska though that a 10 point spread is warranted to attract equal and opposite action on both sides.
The Badgers have outscored their first four opponents 194-34 but faced suspect competition. Nebraska's strength is it's running game lead by QB Taylor Martinez and RB Rex Burkhead. Combined the duo has 841 yards rushing on 126 carries and 14 TD's. Nebraska's defense has not been the juggernaut of years past. This year they have been on a "bend but don't break' agenda. It has them at 4-0 record but can it work against what many consider the top team in the country?
Wisconsin's offensive numbers are amazing. The team averages 245.5 yards rushing per game. Combine that with QB Wilson's stats of completing 75.8 percent of his passes, for 1,136 yards, with 11 TDs and just one INT, and you have a multi headed dragon that may be impossible to tame.
The Badgers have won 13 straight at home. Under current coach Bret Bielema the Badgers are only 1-5 against top ranked opponents. The two teams haven't met since 1974. There is no familiarity factor and there will be a huge "new kid on block" feel for Nebraska tonight.
With all of this we are leaning toward taking Nebraska and the points. It is a lot of points to be giving the No. 8 team in the country.
BETTING TRENDS
NEBRASKA
Nebraska is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Nebraska is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nebraska's last 6 games
Nebraska is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
