The Wisconsin Badgers know that they just have to take care of business against beatable teams in order to secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game later this month.
Game 1: Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Wisconsin Badgers – Saturday, October 20
No matter which one of several betting websites you use, you are going to find it very hard to go with Minnesota in this contest. The Golden Gophers played quite poorly last week against Northwestern, repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers and dropped passes, not to mention other miscues. Minnesota has been banged-up at quarterback for portions of this season and generally cannot be expected to deliver much of anything in this game on the offensive side of the ball.
The other consideration that has to enter the picture for legal online sports betting players is that Wisconsin, which will be playing at home, does seem to be finding itself after stumbling through the first half of the 2012 campaign with very little consistency or direction. Running back Montee Ball looked like his old self last weekend against the Purdue Boilermakers. He ran for 247 yards on 29 carries, displaying the vintage form that enabled him to become a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011. Ball’s re-emergence as a player has to fill Wisconsin’s whole team with a lot of extra belief. The Badgers’ offensive line should be particularly fired up about the fact that it can once again engage in a lot of run blocking – that’s what offensive linemen always prefer. Wisconsin should be very motivated for this contest, especially since it knows that with Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for the Big Ten Championship Game, it can punch a ticket to Indianapolis on Dec. 1 if it can remain steady the next few weeks. Take Wisconsin here.
College Football Betting Pick: Wisconsin -18.5
Game 2: Virginia Tech Hokies @ Clemson Tigers – Saturday, October 20
When you pore over the numbers in an online sportsbook, it’s hard to see how Virginia Tech will remain particularly competitive in this contest. Clemson played Virginia Tech twice last season and crushed the Hokies by at least 20 points on both occasions, with neither game being played on Clemson’s home field. The first win for the Tigers came at Virginia Tech, and the second win was on a neutral field in Charlotte, N.C., in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson simply matches up really well with Virginia Tech. The Tigers have so much more speed on the edges than the Hokies. They put their players in position to make plays. Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris has outflanked Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Nothing should change this week. Clemson should roll.
College Football Betting Pick: Clemson -8.5
Game 3: Purdue Boilermakers @ Ohio State Buckeyes – Saturday, October 20
When attempting to make a college football betting play, don’t overthink certain matters. Ohio State is scoring points at a video-game pace, and Purdue’s offense looks absolutely atrocious at this point. Ohio State is flourishing on offense, and its weak defense isn’t likely to be threatened by Purdue… not for 60 minutes, at any rate. The Buckeyes should be able to pull away from the Boilermakers here.
There’s more to be found on the latest betting odds for college football in 2012.
College Football Betting Pick: Ohio State -18.5