Washington State at Wisconsin

A difficult situational spot for Washington State, squeezing by Idaho at home, 24-14, as a 28-point favorite, and now they make a long road trip to the Big 10. Washington State managed a winning season last year but failed to step up against strong teams losing by 14 to Oregon and by 31 to USC. They also lost a bowl game to Central Michigan of the MAC, 24-21. The Cougars have a new coaching staff along with losing three offensive line starters, which partly explains their Week 1 struggles. They've also gone UNDER the total in six of seven non-conference tilts and run up against a dominant Wiscy defense that was No. 1 in the nation in yards allowed last season. Wisconsin went 9-4 and shut down a Pac-12 team in a bowl game, a 20-13 win over Arizona State. They also had a pair of wins over Top 25 opponents against Iowa (27-7) and at Purdue (30-13). The Badgers, as usual, have a brawling RB in Braelon Allen and QB Graham Mertz is back for his third season. Allen ran for 148 yards (10.6 ypc) in the opener, a 38-0 shutout of Illinois State. Wisconsin is 25-12 ATS at home after allowing 75 or fewer rushing yards in the last game. College football favorites like the Badgers of 10.5 to 21 points that averaged 4.75+ yards per carry in the previous season are 74-31 ATS in the first month of the new campaign with an experienced returning starter at QB. In addition, Wisconsin is 27-16 UNDER the total after allowing 100 or fewer rushing yards in the last game, so back home field in a defensive duel. Play Wisconsin + UNDER the total.