Western Kentucky at Wisconsin College Football Picks and Predictions 8/31/2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

Camp Randall Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Camp Randall Stadium is the venue for the game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, August 31, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Wisconsin as 33 point favorites. The Badgers were 9-5-0 against the spread last year and their over/under mark was 8-6-0. The Hilltoppers were 3-10-0 ATS and their over/under record was 6-7-0.

Valuable Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Trends

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were 6-7-0 against the over/under last season

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were 3-10-0 against the spread last year

Important Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends

The Wisconsin Badgers were 8-6-0 against the over/under last season

The Wisconsin Badgers were 9-5-0 against the spread last year

Key Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Injuries

08/19/18 QB Drew Eckels None has been named the starter Friday vs Wisconsin
08/19/18 QB Steven Duncan Suspension is OUT Friday vs Wisconsin
08/08/18 RB Jakairi Moses Knee is out indefinitely
06/26/18 P Jake Collins Personal has left team

Key Wisconsin Badgers Injuries

08/22/18 WR Danny Davis Suspension 2 game suspension (eligible to return 9/15 vs BYU)
08/20/18 K Rafael Gaglianone Back is out indefinitely
08/19/18 WR Quintez Cephus Legal problems is out indefinitely
08/12/18 RB Bradrick Shaw Knee is out indefinitely
07/04/18 DE Garrett Rand ACL is out for season
07/04/18 DE Isaiahh Loudermilk Knee is out indefinitely
06/26/18 LB Zack Baun Foot is out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran for 790 yards as a team last year, which ranked 130th in the nation. They ran 391 times, averaging 2 yards per rush as a unit. The Hilltoppers were penalized on offense 74 times for 633 yards last year, which had them 73rd in the country in penalties. They were 81st in Division 1 in points scored with 332. They ran 969 plays last year for 5,145 yards, which ranked them 7th in the nation in total offense. The Hilltoppers averaged 5.3 yards per play, which was 98th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 294 1st downs last season, ranking them 35th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Eckels completed 8 throws while attempting 11 passes for a completion percentage of 72.7% last year. He passed for 86 yards. He averaged 3.7 adjusted yards per throw and 7.8 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 120.2.

Defensive Statistics

The Hilltoppers rush defense gave up 501 attempts for 2,214 yards last season, putting them in 72nd place in the country against the run. They had 75 penalties for 767 yards on defense last year. That placed them 98th in Division 1. Western Kentucky was 69th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 348. They gave up a total of 4,904 yards on D, which was 64th in the nation. The Hilltoppers were 59th in yards per play allowed with 5.5. Opponent offenses completed 228 throws on 387 attempts against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defense last season, ranking them 60th and 63rd in the country. The Western Kentucky pass defense also surrendered a total of 2,688 yards in the air, which was 50th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tried 16 field goals last year and made 10, which was 103rd in college football. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 63%. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers kickers made 98% of their extra points, going 39 for 40 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,291 yards on 57 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That ranked them 96th in the NCAA in punting average. Western Kentucky was 100th in the country in punt returns with 14 last season. They totaled 39 punt return yards and averaged 2.8 yards per return, which was 126th in D-1. They returned 48 kicks for 927 yards on special teams, which put them 27th in kick return yardage. The Hilltoppers averaged 19 yards per kick return and they were 56th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 6,111.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Badgers were 18th in Division 1 in points scored with 473 last year. They ran 951 plays last season for 5,814 yards, which ranked them 80th in the nation in total offense. The Wisconsin Badgers averaged 6.1 yards per play, which was 41st in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 295 1st downs last year, placing them 34th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Wisconsin ran for 3,125 yards as a team, which ranked 17th in the country. They ran 626 times, averaging 5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Badgers were penalized on offense 76 times for 703 yards last season, which had them 66th in the nation in penalties. Alex Hornibrook threw for 2,644 yards last season. He completed 198 passes on 318 attempts for a completion percentage of 62.3%. His quarterback rating last year was 148.6. He averaged 8.3 yards per pass attempt and 7.8 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Wisconsin was 5th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 195 last season. They surrendered a total of 3,669 yards on D, which was 4th in Division 1. The Badgers were ranked 5th in yards per play allowed with 4.4. Opposing offenses completed 192 passes on 395 attempts against the Wisconsin defense last season, placing them 20th and 67th in the country. The Wisconsin Badgers pass defense also gave up a total of 2,290 yards through the air, which was 15th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 435 attempts for 1,378 yards last year, putting them in 4th place in D-1 against the run. The Badgers committed 76 penalties for 659 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 68th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Wisconsin was ranked 27th in the nation in punt returns with 24 last year. They accumulated 206 punt return yards and averaged 8.6 yards per return, which was 48th in college football. They returned 35 kicks for 734 yards on special teams, ranking 68th in kick return yardage. The Wisconsin Badgers averaged 21 yards per kick return and they were 31st in the country in all-purpose yards with 6,754. The Badgers attempted 18 field goals last season and made 15, which was 64th in D-1. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 89%. Wisconsin kickers made 100% of their extra points, going 59 for 59 last year. Their punters totaled 2,442 yards on 62 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That placed them 100th in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Hilltoppers/Badgers college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers +33

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink