No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-16) are coming into the Big Ten Championship Game as big favorites as they prepare to battle the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers. The game will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET and FOX has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes at Wisconsin Badgers
In this Saturday Big Ten matchup, Ohio State is projected as the big favorite and is currently giving up 16 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline bettors would currently need to wager $1,000 to net $100 back on the Buckeyes (-1000). The Badgers are getting +625 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 53.5 points, and if one squad can catch a lucky break early, it would probably create a solid betting opportunity in-game.
The betting odds have shifted slightly from where they initially opened. The line opened at -17 while the game’s over/under was set originally at 54.
Each of these teams has posted a positive return this season as the Buckeyes have recorded 6.0 units while the Badgers are ahead 5.0 units.
The Buckeyes are 12-0 straight up (SU), including 9-0 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Badgers are 10-2 SU overall and 7-2 SU in conference play.
The Buckeyes are hoping to remain unbeaten following a 56-27 win over Michigan last week. Justin Fields completed only 14 passes on 25 attempts for 302 yards and four touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins (211 yards on 31 rushes, four TDs) and Master Teague III (29 yards on 12 carries) led the ground attack while Garrett Wilson (three receptions, 118 yards, one TD) and Austin Mack (three catches, 39 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Wisconsin enter this Saturday’s matchup after just earning a 38-17 win over Minnesota. Jack Coan completed 15-of-22 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Taylor (76 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) handled the running game as Quintez Cephus (five receptions, 114 yards, one TD) and Taylor (two catches, 39 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Ohio State has run the ball on 63.8 percent of its offensive possessions while Wisconsin has a rush percentage of 65.6. Having said that, the Buckeyes have produced 280.6 rush yards per game (including 292.6 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 37 scores on the ground this year. The Badgers haven’t been quite as successful, as they’re totaling 243.9 rush yards per game (238.4 in conference) and have 34 total rushing TDs.
Based on the results this season, it appears that the Buckeyes may have an advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has logged 5.8 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.6 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Badgers have rushed for 5.4 yards per carry and allowed 3.3 YPC to opponents.
The Buckeyes offense has tallied 253.7 yards/contest in the air overall (244.4 per game versus conference opposition) and has 44 passing scores so far. The Badgers have put up 198.7 pass yards per contest (179 against Big 10 foes) and have 17 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 91.2 rush yards and 141.1 pass yards per game. The Wisconsin defense has allowed 180.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 96.6 yards per game on the ground. The Buckeyes are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.24 to opposing QBs, while the Badgers have given up a 4.08 ANY/A.
Coan has connected on 181-of-252 passes for 2,106 yards, 15 TDs and three INTs. Coan’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 8.14 for the year and 12.14 over his past two outings. In the other locker room, Fields has put up 2,466 passing yards this season, and has completed 173-of-255 attempts with 35 passing touchdowns and only one interception. Fields has a sparkling 10.99 ANY/A, including 11.33 over the last two outings.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to play each other last season.
Ohio State Buckeyes at Wisconsin Badgers Free Pick
SU Winner: Buckeyes, ATS Winner: Buckeyes, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Ohio State D has 49 sacks on the year while Wisconsin has 44.
- Wisconsin has lost 14 fumbles this season while Ohio State has lost 12.
- The Buckeyes offense has tallied eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Badgers have accounted for five such plays.
- The Ohio State defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Wisconsin has given up four such plays.
- The Ohio State offense has created 33 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Wisconsin has created 24 such runs.
- The Buckeyes defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Badgers have given up 19 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Wisconsin’s last outing was set at 45. The over cashed in the 38-17 victory over Minnesota.
- In its last three games, Wisconsin is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- In its last three matchups, Ohio State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Ohio State’s last game going into it was 53. The over cashed in the team’s 56-27 victory over Michigan.
- Ohio State, as a team, has produced 4.6 yards per carry over its past three contests and 4.4 over its last two.
- Wisconsin has averaged 6.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 6.4 over its last two.
