It’s all come down to one game for the Wisconsin Badgers. After an undefeated regular season at 12-0 for the first time in team history, the Badgers will face their stiffest test of the season versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game. Both of these teams desperately need this win to be considered for the College Football Playoff and Ohio State opened as a 5.5-point favorite to end the Badgers’ dream season.
- Wisconsin is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.
- The total has gone OVER in eight of Ohio State’s last nine games.
- Ohio State is 46-5 SU in its last 51 games.
Wisconsin is not only seeking a berth in the playoff but respect among experts and analysts who said their schedule may have been too cupcake for an outright slot. The Badgers throttled Minnesota 31-0 in Week 13 and own the nation’s top defense. But Wisconsin doesn’t have great recent history against the Buckeyes as they’re 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
Ohio State has all the tools and talent at every position to outmatch the Badgers but despite the talent discrepancy, the Buckeyes have not been a great spread wager for bettors. With blue-chip prospects across the board, this team should have a much better record than 5-7 ATS this season. All of that could be forgotten with a drubbing of the Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium as Ohio State tries to sneak its way back into the playoff picture. That being said, the loss to Iowa in Week 10 when the Buckeyes were 20.5-point favorites may be tough for voters to forget when they gather to announce the finalists on Selection Sunday.
The total opened at 53 points in this championship game and although the Badgers defense is lights-out, the OVER should be seriously considered. The Buckeyes are averaging over 43 points per game and the OVER has hit in nine of their 12 games this season. When you factor in that the OVER has hit in four of the last six games in this matchup, the OVER seems like a strong possibility to come through for bettors.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook had the Wisconsin Badgers as 6.5-point underdogs in the matchup, while the betting total had not been set at press time. Check Sportsbook for the latest on the OVER/UNDER.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and analytics picked a 40-30 win for the Buckeyes. That value could change during the week, if injuries or other factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Wisconsin Badgers currently sport a record of 12-0, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 8-4 ATS. The Ohio State Buckeyes are 10-2 and 5-7 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Badgers post a 7-5 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Buckeyes have gone 9-3 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Wisconsin vs Ohio State injuries news.
The Badgers sit at No. 10 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Buckeyes are at No. 1 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Wisconsin's No. 26-ranked offense, averaging 34.83 PPG, against a Ohio State defense that ranks No. 21 this week at 19.83 PPG. The Wisconsin aerial game is averaging 182.75 yards per game, more than the Ohio State secondary allows through the air, 179 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Buckeyes own the league's No. 8-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 104.2 yards per game when on the road. Wisconsin, on the other hand, rates No. 27 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time we saw the Wolverines, they had no answer for J.K. Dobbins as the Buckeyes rolled to a 31-20 victory at Michigan Stadium.
In their last game, Wisconsin got a 149-yard performance from Jonathan Taylor as a key part of its 31-0 win over Minnesota.
- Ohio State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Ohio State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Ohio State's last 9 games
- Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Wisconsin
- Wisconsin is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Ohio State
- Wisconsin is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ohio State
