Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) v. No.11 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0 SU, 0-2 ATS), Week 3 College Foots, Saturday, September 18th, 3:30pm ET, Camp Randall, Madison, WI, ABC
by Evergreen of Predictem.com
Point Spread: ASU +14/Wisc -14
Over/Under Total: 46.5
The Wisconsin Badgers welcome the Arizona State Sun Devils to Madison this Saturday for a tilt between two undefeated teams. After a couple of sloppy wins, the Badgers will be looking to put ASU away in impressive fashion to let the voters know they belong among the countrys best teams. The Sun Devils are making a few steps up in competition after taking out two FCS schools in their early schedule and could make a big statement as the conference season nears with a big road upset. The game from Camp Randall kicks at 3:30pm ET and is part of ABCs afternoon slate of games.
Vegas opened with the Badgers as 17 point favorites but most offshore sportsbooks now have the line at -14 for the home team with the over/under total at 46 .
This matchup has a bit of immovable force/irresistible object feel as the 7th ranked Sun Devil run defense meets the Badgers 17th best ground attack. Arizona State finished 19th in the NCAA in rush defense last year overall but havent likely seen an offensive line like the one at Wisconsin that averages 66 and 320 pounds. The Sun Devils run a hurry-up offense, but will keep the ball out of the hands of the Wisconsin offense by attempting to run as many plays as possible as well as gassing the defense by not allowing easy substitutions.
Wisconsin comes into the week at 0-2 against the spread thanks to several turnovers that have kept their opponents close and will look to reverse a trend that has them 2-5 ATS in their last seven non-conference games and 2-6 ATS against teams with a winning record. ASU dominated their opponents in early action but couldnt run the ball to ice the game last week and were heavily penalized on the way to a 41-20 win. The Sun Devils make their first trip out of the desert looking to kick an 0-4 ATS run as visitors but have done well against the Big Ten while covering in the last four meetings against the conference.
Steven Threet has had two very solid games at QB for ASU, throwing for 630 yards with 5 scores and actually owns a win against the Badgers during his time at Michigan. The ease in which State has dispatched its opponents has allowed several players to see time but Cameron Marshall has shined while rushing for four scores and the WR duo of Aaron Pflugard and Mike Willie are the main targets in the nations 7th best passing attack. The Badger defense will be the best the Devils have faced by far, but they have been able to put up 59 and 41 so they are coming in with confidence.
Scott Tolzien mans the helm for Wisconsin and while his 71% completion percentage is very strong, his two interceptions have come at bad times and have given life to the opposition. The focus of the Badger offense is always the running game and its no surprise that John Clay leads the way with 260 yards and 4 touchdowns in two games. Montee Ball and James White will see action out of the backfield as well and provide a nice changeup to Clays bruising style and may be called upon to catch some balls as well as there are multiple injuries in the Wisconsin receiving corps.
Arizona State has some injuries along the defensive line, but no players are listed as out while Wisconsin lists WR David Gilreath as out with a concussion and WR Nick Toon is expected to play but may be limited by a turf toe injury.
Evergreens Pick to Cover the Spread: Both teams will try to control the clock in their own way but look for Wisconsin to really turn toward the run to see just how good Arizona States defense is. If the Sun Devils cant get off a high volume of snaps, its a good bet they cant put up enough points to challenge for a win in Madison. The Badgers should take extra care of the ball given all the miscues in the first two weeks and get the win but dont I don’t thin they’ll cover as I forecast a 7-10 point final margin. Take ASU to get the money!