Badgers Look To Bounce Back Against Michigan

Wisconsin (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) is licking its wounds after a lopsided loss to Notre Dame, but a visit from the Wolverines (4-0, 3-1) could be enough to get the Badgers back on track. Michigan is 0-6 ATS in its last six trips to Camp Randall and hasn’t covered any of its last six Big Ten contests.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Wisconsin was originally favored by 4.5 points but that spread plummeted following the Badgers’ 28-point loss last week to Notre Dame. Most sportsbooks were offering this line as a pick’em as of Sunday night.

Michigan News & Notes

After running roughshod over non-conference opponents in its first three games, Michigan’s ground attack found Big Ten play to be much tougher sledding last week. The Wolverines ran for just 112 yards — less than one-third of their season average — in a 20-13 victory over Rutgers, when they didn’t score a single point after halftime.

That running game could struggle once again this week against a Wisconsin defense that allowed just three yards on the ground last week to Notre Dame. If Michigan can’t move the chains with the run, that would spell trouble for a Wolverines squad that hasn't done much through the air yet this season. In fact, quarterback Cade McNamara has yet to throw for more than 200 yards in a game.

Not that anything’s come easily in Big Ten action lately for the Wolverines, who are 0-6 ATS in their last six conference games. Michigan is also on ugly losing streaks as a road underdog, losing its last 13 by an average of 14.7 points, and as an underdog overall, dropping 18 straight by an average of 16.7.

Wisconsin News & Notes

Although the Badgers allowed 41 points in last week’s lopsided loss to Notre Dame, their defense certainly wasn’t the problem. Wisconsin held the Fighting Irish to three rushing yards and 242 total yards as the Badgers nursed a 13-10 lead into the fourth quarter.

However, Notre Dame broke the game open in the final frame with a 98-yard kickoff return and a pair of pick-sixes, making for one of the more deceiving final scores of the season.

On the other side of the ball, Wisconsin’s offense — especially the passing game — remains a huge issue. Sophomore quarterback Graham Mertz completed less than half of his passes for 240 yards and tossed four more interceptions, making it 11 in his last six starts.

Although a pair of late interception returns for touchdowns sent last week’s game OVER the total, Wisconsin has still gone UNDER in six of its last eight games and in four straight at home.