2018 Wisconsin Badgers Season Win Total Picks and Predictions for NCAA Football
2017 Record: 13-1
2018 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 10.0
2018 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Over'
The Wisconsin Badgers were absolutely and completely screwed out of a spot in the College Football Playoff last year. The Badgers went undefeated (12-0) in the regular season before coming up just six points short against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. They were then passed over by Alabama, a team that didn't win its division OR its conference championship because it didn't go undefeated despite playing in a weaker conference.
The Badgers didn't just beat teams last year, they demolished them. They averaged 22 points per game more than their opponents and were in the Top 10 nationally in scoring, total offense, rushing defense and total defense. This team was dominant, and only two teams - Purdue and Ohio State - stayed within double digits of the Badgers all year.
Wisconsin will try to slug their way into the four-team playoff field this year behind another dominating running game. The Badgers offensive line is a force of nature with four potential NFL prospects lining up in the trenches. Wisconsin has all five starters back from a group that paved the way to 242 rushing yards per game last season. Two of the starters, Beau Benzschawel and Mike Deiter, are four-year starters and All-Americans.
It doesn't matter who is running behind this batch of refrigerators. But it helps to have Heisman candidate Jonathan Taylor. A second team All-American as a freshman, Taylor rushed for 2,016 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wisconsin has its four top rushers back overall.
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook is in his third year as a starter. He still turns the ball over way too much. But the now-junior has enough experience to be considered a steady hand. Hornibrook has his four top receivers back.
Paul Chryst has some holes to fill on defense. The Badgers lost seven starters on that side of the ball, including sack leaders Garret Gooley and Alec James. They do still have All-American T.J. Edwards at linebacker, though, and an all-Big Ten safety in D'Cota Dixon. Wisconsin has allowed more than 20 points per game just one time in the last seven years and hasn't allowed more than 21 points per game in a decade.
The Badgers didn't make the College Football Playoff last year due to a cupcake schedule. And their slate is only slightly more arduous this fall. Hey, it's not their fault that all the power in the Big Ten rests in the East. But Wisconsin doesn't have a single marquee nonconference game, and it will be a surprise if anyone stays within two touchdowns against the Badgers in Madison all year.
But Wisconsin does have to play its three toughest opponents on the road. They go to Iowa, to Michigan and to Penn State. If they win two of those games then they will be back in the Big Ten title game for the fourth time in five years and third season in a row. If they win all three of those games then they will be in the four-team playoff.
I wouldn't touch this number at 10.5. But at 10.0 it is all upside. They would have to lose all three of those road games to lose this wager. And the Badgers are an amazing 18-2 straight up in their last 20 Big Ten road games over the past five seasons.
I think that Wisconsin is a legit national title contender. I will play this one 'over'.
Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past seven years, earning nearly $28,000 in total football profit. He has also posted seven of nine winning seasons (including back-to-back winning years) and produced 26 of 41 winning football months and an amazing 45 of 70 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of 10 winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 900 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons. Robert is looking for a third straight winning football year and wants more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 3-FOR-1 FOOTBALL SPECIALS!
We are offering new clients $60 in free college football picks for Robert's picks or any Advisory Board handicapper of your choosing. Get your free college football picks now!
Read more articles by Robert Ferringo
Get all of this Weeks Free College Football Picks
Get all of this Weeks Expert College Football Picks