Washington State Cougars vs Wisconsin Badgers Point Spread Picks

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and new OC Phil Longo have brought in a wide-open spread attack that rolled up 503 yards (314 rushing) in the opener, a 38-17 win over Buffalo. And the defense should be one of the best in the Big Ten with eight starters returning. It's a revenge game, too, as Washington State stunned Wisconsin a year ago, 17-14. Washington State has all kinds of new looks and question marks. The Cougars lost their top four wideouts, had a shaky offensive line, and have a new playbook under first-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Junior QB Cameron Ward returns, though he had two interceptions and one TD versus the Badgers last September and got no help from a ground attack that ran for 53 yards (2.4 yards per carry). Wisconsin lost that game despite having the edge in yards 401-to-253 while holding Washington State to 2-of-11 on third down. Washington State's defense is rebuilding at linebacker and in the secondary. The Cougars didn't fare well in 2022 when stepping up versus Top 20 teams, giving up 44 points to No. 15 Oregon, losing 30-14 to USC, and losing 51-33 to No. 13 Washington. Washington State is also 8-19 ATS at home in the first two weeks of the season. Play Wisconsin. 

A difficult situational spot for Washington State, squeezing by Idaho at home, 24-14, as a 28-point favorite, and now they make a long road trip to the Big 10. Washington State managed a winning season last year but failed to step up against strong teams losing by 14 to Oregon and by 31 to USC. They also lost a bowl game to Central Michigan of the MAC, 24-21. The Cougars have a new coaching staff along with losing three offensive line starters, which partly explains their Week 1 struggles. They've also gone UNDER the total in six of seven non-conference tilts and run up against a dominant Wiscy defense that was No. 1 in the nation in yards allowed last season. Wisconsin went 9-4 and shut down a Pac-12 team in a bowl game, a 20-13 win over Arizona State. They also had a pair of wins over Top 25 opponents against Iowa (27-7) and at Purdue (30-13). The Badgers, as usual, have a brawling RB in Braelon Allen and QB Graham Mertz is back for his third season. Allen ran for 148 yards (10.6 ypc) in the opener, a 38-0 shutout of Illinois State. Wisconsin is 25-12 ATS at home after allowing 75 or fewer rushing yards in the last game. College football favorites like the Badgers of 10.5 to 21 points that averaged 4.75+ yards per carry in the previous season are 74-31 ATS in the first month of the new campaign with an experienced returning starter at QB. In addition, Wisconsin is 27-16 UNDER the total after allowing 100 or fewer rushing yards in the last game, so back home field in a defensive duel. Play Wisconsin + UNDER the total.