2017 Big Ten Championship Odds and Prediction – Wisconsin vs Ohio State Free Pick

2017 Big Ten Championship Odds and Prediction – Wisconsin vs Ohio State Free Pick: A spot in the College Football Playoff could be on the line for both teams when the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) take on the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers (12-0) in the Big Ten Championship Game. For the Badgers, a win would continue an undefeated season and cement their status as one of the four playoffs teams. If the Buckeyes win, they will give themselves a fighting chance to sneak into playoffs while essentially eliminating Wisconsin from consideration in the process. The Badgers may be undefeated, but it is the Buckeyes favored by six points in this matchup at Bovada Sportsbook. You can bet on this game by opening up a sports betting account at Bovada. You will receive a 50% bonus upto $250 FREE on your 1st deposit.

It has been a rollercoaster year for the Buckeyes, who have looked like an unstoppable offensive juggernaut at times but completely collapsed in the second half of losses to Oklahoma and Iowa. Quarterback J.T. Barrett leads a balanced offense that is averaging 43.8 points per game and is piling up more than 250 yards rushing and passing per game. The Buckeyes aren’t too shabby defensively either, and the unit is allowing less than 20 points per game thanks in large part to one of the deepest defensive fronts in the country.

The Badgers have powered their way to a perfect 12-0 record thanks to a dominant running game and one of the stingiest defenses in the country. Running back Jonathan Taylor has more than 1,800 yards entering the conference titles game, and quarterback Alex Hornibrook has made the throws when he has need to. Defensively, Wisconsin is allowing just 12.0 points per game and just 236 yards. In fact, Wisconsin has allowed just one opponent to score more than 17 points in a game this year.

2017 Big Ten Championship Odds and Prediction – Wisconsin vs Ohio State Free Pick

The Buckeyes Win If:

For as dominant as the Ohio State offense looks at times, the Buckeyes tend to lose their rhythm when they can’t control the tempo with their ground game. Barrett has been mediocre, at best, when it comes to pushing the ball down the field, and the Buckeyes aren’t going to be able to put up many points on Wisconsin by dinking and dumping passes underneath. If Ohio State gets Mike Webber Jr. and J.K. Dobbins rolling early, everything else will fall into place offensively. On the defensive side of the ball, the Buckeyes have to make the Badgers beat them with the pass. If the Buckeyes can force Wisconsin into obvious passing downs, they can turn loose their array of excellent pass-rushers and make life miserable for Hornibrook.

The Badgers Win If:

If Wisconsin is going to keep its undefeated season alive, the Badgers need to make sure this game is a defensive battle and not a high-scoring shootout. In order to do that, they need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, making the Ohio State offense one dimensional and preventing the Ohio State defense from pinning its ears back and attacking the quarterback. Barrett is an accomplished quarterback, and he has made his share of big plays. However, there is no doubt that the Ohio State offense is better when Barrett doesn’t have to be a one-man show. If Wisconsin is the more physical team running the ball, the Badgers are going to be in great shape.

Bottom Line:

Everyone seems to be assuming the Buckeyes will roll in this one and are looking ahead to the College Football Playoff scenarios that will unfold. However, the Badgers match up pretty well with the presumed conference champs. It’s not just that Wisconsin is allowing a mere 12.0 points per game. The Badgers are only allowing 80.5 rushing yards per game, and when Ohio State can’t establish a consistent running game, the powerful offense becomes predictable and defendable. Wisconsin also has the muscle in the trenches and a workhorse back in Taylor to take the air out of Ohio State’s vaunted pass rush. I expect this to be an ugly, low-scoring affair. I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Badgers straight up in this one, and I’ll definitely take them with six points.

Prediction: Wisconsin Badgers (+6) Cover the Spread

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