College Football Best Bets: Wisconsin vs Alabama
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In Week 3, we're going down south to Tuscaloosa for a Big Ten vs. SEC matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium at noon E.T. The game can be viewed or streamed on ABC.
It's a rematch of last season, as the Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) visit the Alabama Crimson Tide (1-1), and they'll have revenge on their minds.
The Badgers are looking to keep their record perfect, while the Crimson Tide is trying to avoid a second early loss before the leaves have even started to turn colors.
Alabama vs Wisconsin Betting Odds for Week 3
Spread: Wisconsin +21 (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook); Alabama -20.5 (-110 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
Total: Over 45.5 (-110 Fanatics Sportsbook); Under 46.5 (-110 Caesars Sportsbook)
Moneyline: Wisconsin +1100 (FanDuel Sportsbook); Alabama -1500 (Fanatics)
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Alabama vs Wisconsin Betting Picks for Week 3
The Badgers head to T-Town with revenge on their minds after a disappointing 42-10 loss to the Crimson Tide at Camp Randall Stadium last season on Sept. 14. The only reason the crowd stuck around until the end of the third quarter was for "Jump Around", then the student section bounced out the door.
It was an embarrassing loss for the Badgers, who managed just 290 total yards of offense, while the Crimson Tide was good for 407 total yards. Alabama was able to run for 181 yards, and 5.3 total yards per rush, too, which is unheard of in Madison, at least for the opposing team. In addition, the Badgers were minus-2 in the turnover department in a gloomy day for Wisconsin football.
The Badgers were just 3-of-14 on third-down efficiency against the Crimson Tide, while managed only 4.5 yards per pass attempt. It was a sound beating which Wisconsin usually gives to the opposition in September, not the other way around.
It's been a slow go for the Badgers early on this season. Wisconsin is 2-0, but it has relied upon its defense, while really playing nobody.
Wisconsin shut out Miami (Ohio) of the MAC in the opener, winning 17-0, but it lost QB Billy Edwards Jr. to a sprained knee. He traveled with the team, and plans to warm up, but he is considered doubtful to play. Officially, he is listed as week-to-week with the injury. QB Danny O'Neil started against Middle Tennessee, leading the Badgers to a 42-10 win. Of course, that should have been expected, as the Blue Raiders were trampled by Austin Peay of the FCS in the opener, 34-14.
Alabama was stunned at Florida State in the opening weekend, falling 31-17. Coach Kalen DeBoer's team was beaten on both sides of the ball by the Seminoles, and returned home with revenge on their minds.
The Crimson Tide took advantage of UL Monroe, who served as a punching bag in a 73-0 whitewashing at Bryant-Denny Stadium. While Alabama might have felt better after getting untracked, especially in front of the home fans, it was a hollow feeling considering it still is just 1-1, and it lost against a Power 4 team the weekend before. This team still has a long way to go before getting back into the conversation of top teams. Still, it was a start.
Even if it was just the Warhawks, QB Ty Simpson going 17-of-17 against ULM is impressive either way you slice it. He finished with 226 yards and three touchdowns, while also running for a score. Backup QB Austin Mack came on and tossed two TDs, and QB Keelon Russell did the same, according to a pair of scoring strikes. That was seven passing scores, and three more on the ground.
In the run game, RB Kevin Riley had 11 carries for 69 yards, and his 6.3 average per tote was fine. RB AK Dear rolled up 76 yards and a touchdown on five rushes, good for a gaudy 15.2 yards per touch. RB Richard Young was good for a rushing touchdown, too, as ULM offered little in the way of resistance. Things are not expected to be nearly as easy against the Badgers.
The key here is defense. Is Wisconsin's defense much better this season, or is their 10 points allowed in two games the result of playing a MAC and Conference USA team? Probably more toward the latter. Alabama will certainly get their points. While a spread of 20.5 points looks like an awful lot, this is a Badgers team going on the road with a backup quarterback against a team it was waylaid against last season.
Let's back an angry Alabama team laying the points, as it desperately tries to win back over the public after its shocking loss to FSU. The Crimson Tide is on a mission, and that's usually not good for others.
Alabama vs Wisconsin Expert Pick: Alabama -20.5 (-110 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
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Alabama vs Wisconsin Predictions for Week 3
As far as the total is concerned, this number looks awfully low at first glance.
Wisconsin has split the Over-Under in two games, allowing just 10 points. However, facing Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee isn't exactly the most challenging schedule. We'll learn more about the Badgers in this road game against a ranked foe than we learned in the first eight quarters of the season. We should find out in the first quarter alone if Wisconsin's defense is really that impressive. The suspicion is that it is not.
The backup O'Neil is expected to start, and he is likely to be coaxed into some miscues. Don't be surprised to see a pick-six in this game, or perhaps a strip-sack and a scoop and score. Facing a bad Middle Tennessee team, or a wounded, but still very dangerous Alabama team, is night and day. It won't end well for O'Neil.
Simpson looked sharp last week, but he wasn't nearly as crisp in Tallahassee. There are questions he must answer, too, as all of the quarterback questions aren't just on the Wisconsin side.
The belief here is that Alabama is angry, and it should be after laying that Week 1 egg. It needs a win against a perceived national power to get back into the mix. Wisconsin is a power in name alone these days, as there isn't a lot of mystique left. Look for Alabama to pile up some big points, perhaps score on defense, too, and it might come close to taking care of the Over all on its own.
