Western Michigan looks to end a perfect season and give coach P.J. Fleck a crowning moment, in what may be his last game for the Broncos, when they take on Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. Both the Broncos and Badgers have been fantastic bets this season, as they went 9-4 ATS and 9-3-1 ATS, respectively.
- Wisconsin is 17-0 SU in its last 17 games against the MAC.
- Western Michigan is 8-0 SU and 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games against teams with winning records.
- The total has gone UNDER in Western Michigan's last 3 games against the Big 10.
Western Michigan has gotten a little bit better every season under Fleck, as the team has gone from a 1-11 record in 2013 to competing in a New Year’s Six bowl. In Fleck’s four seasons, the Broncos offense has gone from averaging 17.2 points per game to 43.5.
Senior quarterback Zach Terrell has been one of the most efficient passers in the country with the Fort Wayne native completing 70.8 percent of his passes for 32 touchdowns and three interceptions. Of course, you can’t talk about Western Michigan without talking about star wide receiver Corey Davis, who has the record for most receiving yards in FBS history. Davis has recorded 1427 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air this season while recording a touchdown in nine of the past 10 games.
When you say “Wisconsin football” you immediately imagine a rugged run-first offense and a dominant front seven on defense. That pretty much hits the nail on the head for the Badgers this season. Corey Clement has been a workhorse for Wisconsin, as the running back has averaged 24.3 carries and 108.7 yards per game.
The Badgers defense has held opponents to 96.9 rushing yards per game and just 3.2 yards per carry this season. The key player in the front seven is undoubtedly T.J. Watt, who has recorded 59 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. The Badgers' Achilles heel on defense is their secondary. Though the defensive backfield is ballhawking, grabbing 21 interceptions on the year, they can also be burned and that showed in the Big Ten title game against Penn State.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans backing the Wisconsin Badgers here saw them at Sportsbook as -6.5-point favorites in this college football clash. (Check back shortly for Sportsbook totals at sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark as none was available at the time this preview was written.)
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas run early in the week pointed to a 36-31 win for the Broncos on Monday. And visit PredictionMachine.com for additional picks coverage. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Western Michigan Broncos vs Wisconsin Badgers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Wisconsin Badgers sit at 10-3 (9-3-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Western Michigan Broncos are currently 13-0 (9-4 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Wisconsin is 6-7 OU, and Western Michigan is 7-6 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Wisconsin vs Western Michigan injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 18 and the Western Michigan Broncos at No. 7 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Wisconsin Badgers No. 66-ranked offense (28.69 PPG) against a Western Michigan Broncos defense that ranks No. 16 at 19.46 PPG. The Wisconsin Badgers passing attack has averaged 179.15 yards per game, less than the Western Michigan Broncos give up through the air (201.77 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Western Michigan Broncos own the league's No. 20-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 130 yards per game when on the road. Wisconsin, on the other hand, rates No. 30 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Corey Davis hauled in 8 passes for 144 yards against the Ohio defense in the team's last game, leading Western Michigan over the Bobcats 29-23 on Friday.
Corey Clement went over the 100-yard mark (164) in his team's latest effort, but Penn State still defeated Wisconsin by a score of 38-31.
- Western Michigan is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games
- Western Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Western Michigan's last 6 games
- Wisconsin is 11-3-1 ATS in its last 15 games
- Wisconsin is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 5 games
