Northwestern plus 14 1/2 at Wisconsin
Wisconsin has had problems the past three years against Northwestern. The Wildcats beat the Badgers in 2014 and 2015. Wisconsin got past the Wildcats, 21-7, last season. Wisconsin is averaging just 14 points during its last three games against Northwestern.
Northwestern has covered 73 percent of the time it has been a ‘dog in the past 26 instances. The Wildcats also are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 away contests.
The Badgers are a conservative ground-oriented team. They aren’t built to cover two-touchdown spreads against quality foes. Northwestern’s defensive strength is its front seven. The Badgers lack the passing attack to take major advantage of the Wildcats’ secondary.
Wisconsin has an outstanding defense. But the Badgers haven’t met an opponent yet with the firepower of Northwestern, having played Utah State, Florida Atlantic and BYU.
Northwestern has an experienced quarterback, Clayton Thorson, and one of the top running backs in the country, senior Justin Jackson, who will break Northwestern’s all-time rushing record if he gains more than 108 yards against Wisconsin. Jackson has rushed for at least 139 yards in two of his three games against the Badgers.
