Wisconsin Badgers vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, 10/8/2022 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Saturday, October 8, 2022

Location: Ryan Field in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (+9.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44

Ryan Field is where the Northwestern Wildcats (1-4) will take on the Wisconsin Badgers (2-3) on Saturday. Northwestern opens this game as 9.5-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total is 44.

The Wisconsin Badgers head into this game 2-3 this season. In their last game, the Badgers stepped onto the field against the Illinois Fighting Illini and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 34-10. Chez Mellusi was the rushing leader for the Badgers with 7 carries for 16 yards (2.3 yds per carry). Graham Mertz went 17/32 with 206 yds through the air and 1 touchdown. He had a QB rating of 105 and ended the game with 2 picks. When it came to stopping the run, the Badgers conceded 137 yards on 42 tries, which is 3.3 yards per run surrendered. Wisconsin relinquished 18 pass completions on 24 attempts for a total of 167 yds, and a completion percentage of 75.0%. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 57 plays which gave them a total of 208 yards. The Wisconsin Badgers ran the ball 24 times and tallied 2 yds, which earned them an average of 0.1 yds per carry.

Concerning putting points on the board, the Wisconsin Badgers are sitting at 29.8 PPG. As a unit they're averaging 169.8 yards on the ground ranking them 57th in the country. The Badgers have racked up 1,940 total yards for this campaign. With reference to scoring, Wisconsin has earned 8 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns. Wisconsin has a total of 88 1st downs offensively, and they have been hurt by 35 penalties for 342 yds. They have surrendered the ball 8 different times.

When talking about yards through the air, the Badgers are allowing 958 yds which ranks them 38th in D-1. They have relinquished 191.6 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 58.6%. During this campaign, they have surrendered 316.2 yards per contest which puts them 29th in Division 1. They have granted 6 touchdowns by air as well as 8 touchdowns via the ground game. They are giving up an average of 3.7 yards per run and 124.6 yards on the ground per game this season. Overall, they have allowed 623 rushing yards through 5 games. The Badgers sit in 46th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 22.0 PPG.

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The Wildcats come into this game with a record of 1-4 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Wildcats took a loss by a final score of 17-7 against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Ryan Hilinski (1 touchdown) finished the contest with 210 yds on 15/37 through the air while his quarterback rating was 91.7. He had 1 pick and his Y/A was 5.7. Evan Hull ran the ball 11 times for 45 yards, ending the contest with 4.1 yds per carry for Northwestern. Northwestern ran the ball for 1.1 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 31 yards on 28 attempts. The Wildcats finished with a total of 241 yards while running 65 plays (3.7 yds per play). The Wildcats secondary conceded a completion percentage of 50.0%, relinquishing 140 yds on 10 for 20 through the air. Northwestern relinquished 58 attempts on the ground for 220 yards (3.8 yds per rush).

When discussing their scoring prowess, the Wildcats currently sit 114th in Division 1 by scoring 19.8 points per contest. For the year so far, the Wildcats have thrown for a total of 1,429 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 285.8 throwing yards per contest, which ranks 30th in D-1. The Northwestern Wildcats have an average of 404.8 yards/game, which is good for 70th in college football. The Northwestern offense has accrued 233 yds of penalties on 26 infractions, which ranks them 104th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the other team.

The Wildcats are giving up 24.8 PPG, which has them sitting 65th in college football. Northwestern has conceded a total of 863 rushing yards (172.6 yards/game) in addition to 9 touchdowns on the ground for the season. This year, they have allowed 124 points. They have allowed 7 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 211.6 yards/outing, which puts them in 51st in the country. The Wildcats defense has taken the field for 345 plays, which is good for 81st in D-1.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats +9.5

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