Wisconsin’s latest stumble left more questions than answers, and now the betting market is asking a surprising one of its own: why is Saturday night’s game in Madison only a 2.5-point spread?
The Badgers are home underdogs against No. 16 USC, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, a number that stands out considering where these two teams are right now.
USC comes in at 6-1 and 3-1 in Big Ten play, with its only loss coming against Oregon. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is coming off what was easily its roughest performance of the year in the road loss at UCLA.
That defeat was ugly in a few different ways. Wisconsin held UCLA’s rushing attack in check, limiting the Bruins to 44 rushing yards through the first three quarters and 10 points overall. But the Badgers couldn’t get much going offensively, couldn’t get off the field on third down, and picked up enough frustrating penalties to make the night even harder on themselves.
The twist is that one of Wisconsin’s biggest issues in Pasadena came against a backup quarterback. UCLA’s Ty Dieffenbach threw for 264 yards and a touchdown while completing 67% of his passes, and he was especially effective on third down, going 8-of-13 for 150 yards.
That sets up a much tougher test this week, because USC brings in Jayden Maiava, the nation’s second-leading passer. Maiava has 2,045 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions on 68% completion.
There’s no denying the Trojans have more firepower. Their passing game can explode, and they’ve got enough talent on the defensive side to mask other issues.
But their last two games have both gone down to the wire against average Big Ten competition. USC edged Washington 25-21 at home, then went into Penn State and left with a 31-23 win in the white-out game.
If there’s a crack in the armor, it’s through the air. USC’s pass defense ranks No. 109 nationally, giving up 239.0 yards per game. Even so, Wisconsin has not exactly earned the benefit of the doubt there after managing just 66 passing yards at the Rose Bowl last week.
So while Vegas sees a game that could stay tight, the Badgers have to prove they can do more than they did in their last outing. After that performance, the narrow line is hard to square with what Wisconsin just showed.
In Other News...
Wisconsin May Have An Obvious Fix For Its Roster-Building Problem
Wisconsins new football front office already has a familiar connection to one of the NFLs more respected talent evaluators. The Badgers recently hired Morocco Brown as Football General Manager, and Brown comes from the Chris Ballard tree after working under the former Indianapolis Colts GM, who was relieved of his duties after a poor season in Indianapolis. For a program trying to sharpen how it builds and manages its roster, that link alone makes the situation worth watching.
Ballards availability has naturally raised a bigger question for Wisconsin: whether the Badgers could lean on his experience in some kind of consulting or temporary capacity to help modernize the way they evaluate and assemble talent. Nothing of that sort is confirmed, but the logic is easy to follow given Browns background and the programs stated need for better roster management. If Wisconsin is looking for an obvious way to accelerate that process, the answer may already be sitting in the same professional orbit. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Volleyball Just Earned A Crucial Edge For The Stretch Run
With the final month of the regular season approaching, Wisconsin volleyball has put itself in a position that should matter come NCAA tournament time. The Badgers are No. 6 in the latest AVCA Top 25 poll, but the selection committee has them even higher, slotting them No. 4 among the top 16 teams and projecting them as a No. 1 seed.
That early advantage looks tied to the kind of schedule Wisconsin has embraced and the wins it has piled up along the way, including victories over Louisville, Florida, Oregon and Purdue. At 13-5 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, the Badgers still have work to do, but theyve already built a rsum that gives them a strong foothold for the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]
USC Faces A Road Test Fans Can't Ignore Before Ohio State
USC heads to Madison for its third road game of the season, and it arrives with enough spotlight attached to make this one feel bigger than a typical October trip. The No. 16 Trojans will face Wisconsin on NBC in primetime, with the setup already drawing attention because of how the Badgers can force an opponent into a different kind of game.
Todd Blackledge pointed to Wisconsins strong defense and the presence of mobile quarterback Colton Joseph as part of the challenge, and that combination is exactly the sort of test that can expose a team before it gets to the bigger stakes ahead. Scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, the matchup gives USC one more road measuring stick before Ohio State enters the conversation in earnest. [Read more 🡒]