Wisconsin Iowa Betting – Badgers Seek Consistency While Iowa Tries To Take Hold Of Big Ten Race
The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off a huge win against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Iowa Hawkeyes now enjoy the top spot in the Big Ten. A week-eight matchup in Iowa City will define two seasons.
NCAA football betting: Wisconsin Badgers @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Online Betting Odds: Iowa -5.5
Why To Bet On Wisconsin
The Badgers, after slumbering for much of the year, awakened against Ohio State. A team that got out-hit and largely outplayed by the Arizona State Sun Devils, and then saw its defense get shredded by the Michigan State Spartans, became a very different team versus the Ohio State Buckeyes, the defending Big Ten champions. While it’s true that Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor looked little different from the wobbly signal caller who lobbed weak throws into secondaries last season, this game was still claimed with forcefulness and conviction by the Badgers. Ohio State got exposed on many levels, but the main storyline from Saturday’s game is that Wisconsin was more than good enough to outclass the Buckeyes.
Many observers were anxiously waiting to see what kind of stuff Wisconsin was made of after Ohio State shaved a 21-0 lead to 21-18 early in the fourth quarter. The Badgers’ response was as impressive as it was decisive: 10 plays, 73 yards, and 4:41 later, Wisconsin owned a game-sealing, death-dealing touchdown delivered by running back James White. As was the case in the game’s first 17 minutes (when the home team built a 21-0 lead), the Badgers’ offensive front played the way everyone in Madison hoped it would play this season. Wisconsin’s big uglies did not distinguish themselves in the first six weeks of the season, but this game brought out the hard-hat excellence that coach Bret Bielema so clearly needed. If this is the team that shows up against Iowa, the Badgers not only could win; they should win.
Why To Bet On Iowa
The Hawkeyes, playing at home, will be highly motivated for this game. Moreover, there are doubts about Wisconsin’s ability to be consistent enough to pull off two straight upsets. The visiting Badgers will encounter the hangover factor; their glee after knocking off Ohio State must give way to total concentration this week against Iowa, and that’s simply a tough task for any college football team to pull off. Indeed, the great challenge of this sport is not found in the ability to win one really big game against a good team, but in the ability to win week after week against a lot of good teams. Iowa’s defense is solid, and the Hawkeyes won’t have to worry about a speedy quarterback such as Michigan’s Denard Robinson, whom they faced – and defeated – last weekend. Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien is much slower, so if Iowa’s pass rush can generate relentless pressure, the Badgers will be in trouble. Iowa’s defensive edge should be a big factor in this contest.
How The Game Will Play Out
Iowa will indeed rush the passer with sustained success, picking off Tolzien multiple times. Iowa’s offense doesn’t need to be spectacular in this game; merely playing solid, no-turnover football should be enough to get the Hawkeyes to the finish line first. Wisconsin’s level of play will drop off after the emotional win over Ohio State. Take Iowa minus the points.
Wisconsin Iowa Betting Pick: Iowa
