Wisconsin was a playoff hopeful to start this season because they were supposed to be one of the best offenses in the Big Ten. The Badger defense was going to be young but they were going to be allowed to develop with the offense covering their backside. That has not materialized however and much of the offensive inconsistency is due to a lack of progression by QB Alex Hornibrook. Can the Wisconsin offense hold it together and cover a whopping 25 point spread?
It really is no secret how Michigan intends to handle this game, or any game for that matter. The offense has balance in averaging over 200 yards in both passing and rushing but that run game where the money is made. Karan Higdon leads the team with 687 yards and six scores and averages 5.7 yards per carry. Can Higdon and the Wolverines run through the Spartans and beat the 7 point spread? Ted Walker has his college football pick.
Our resident PGA golf expert takes a look at this week’s CJ Cup at Nine Bridges Golf Course on Jeju Island, Korea. Read Ted Walker’s take on who are the best value picks for the tournament to win outright or in golfer versus golfer match-ups.
It rarely makes sense to look at a contest two seasons ago as a predictor for NCAA football but this is game is setting up much like the 2016 contest between these two. Wisconsin was good, but imperfect on offense with an inconsistent Alex Hornibrook in his first season as a starter. Michigan was a contender in the Big Ten and beyond but would be up against a tough test that could match size and strength. The result then was a 14-7 grinder that Michigan won. Sportsbooks have the spread at 7.5 meaning the same score would favor the dog. Ted Walker looks ahead to this Saturday night play.
The folks at ESPN were likely pretty happy with this Monday Night Football matchup before the season. Imagine the scene…An upstart San Fran team at 3-2, led by dark-horse MVP candidate Jimmy Garoppolo, heading into Lambeau to take on a 5-0 Green Bay team that was no-doubt a playoff team. This game could have re-kindled a mini-rivalry that came from these teams meeting five times from 2012-2015. Instead, bookmakers are forecasting a more than a 2 score final with Green Bay giving up 10 points at some betting site. Ted Walker looks at the spread and if the 49ers are really double digit dogs.
The Green Bay defense is still a long way from an elite unit but Mike Pettine’s system has begun to show dividends. The Packers enter Sunday as the 6th ranked defense in total yards allowed and are 11th in points surrendered at 20.8 per game after shutting out the Bills last week. Will it enough to stop a healthy[er] Aaron Rodgers?
No one is going to confuse Indiana with being a top team in the Big Ten but coach Tom Allen has done well to make sure the Hoosiers have no glaring weaknesses. Indiana comes into the week ranked in the 60’s in passing, rushing and total yards. Is that kind of output good enough to stay within the 25 point spread versus Ohio State? Ted Walker gives his free pick.
We know the major injury in Green Bay belongs to Aaron Rodgers and his busted-up knee. The offense has looked decent at times with the hobbled Rodgers but it is apparent that he cannot hit 6th gear. Ted makes his pick and prediction on a game where the betting lines suggests the Green Bay Gimp has enough to outscore Buffalo by 10.
We haven’t even seen the first playoff rankings yet but College Football Week 5 will have a big impact on who will be in that final four. Penn State welcomes Ohio State to town this weekend and the implications of this game can’t be overstated. Sportsbooks have OSU as small road favorites. Ted Walker breaks the game down and offers his football pick.
Rodgers’ knee is not going to be 100% for several weeks based on reports from Green Bay and while he seems capable at many levels, the Packers are clearly less of a team without him at his peak. The Green Bay running game is pedestrian at best and not scheduled to improve against a Washington team that just held the Colts to 65 yards on the ground. Should the Packers be favored? Ted Walker analyzes the game and gives his free pick.