Big Ten Championship Total Pick
After a low-scoring battle earlier this season, will we see a high-scoring contest this time around when No. 1 Ohio State faces No. 8 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
119 Wisconsin vs. 120 Ohio State
Saturday, December 7, 2019
8PM ET – Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Ohio State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -16.5 points against Wisconsin. The over/under total is listed at 56 points. The public betting currently has 80 percent going on Ohio State as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Buckeyes throttle Michigan
Ohio State made a statement last weekend with a 56-27 win at Michigan to finish the regular season unbeaten at 12-0. The Buckeyes were 9-0 in Big Ten games, 9-3 against the spread and 6-5-1 with the over.
The Buckeyes have been among the best nationally on both sides of the ball. The defense is giving up 11.8 points and 232.3 yards per game this year, while the offense is putting up 49.9 points and 534.3 yards per game. Justin Fields has thrown for 2,654 yards and 37 touchdowns with just one interception. He has also rushed for 470 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fields suffered a knee injury last week but will play this weekend, though he may not be 100 percent. J.K. Dobbins is leading the ground attack with 1,657 yards and 19 touchdowns while Chris Olave is the top receiver with 41 catches for 705 yards and 11 scores. Ohio State also has the top defensive player in the nation in Chase Young, who has 38 tackles with 16.5 sacks.
Badgers run over Minnesota
Wisconsin qualified for this championship game thanks to a 38-17 win at Minnesota last weekend. The Badgers have won their last four since a 38-7 loss at Ohio State on Oct. 26. Wisconsin is now 10-2 on the year, 7-2 in the Big Ten, 7-5 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total.
The Badgers are very strong on defense this year, giving up just 14.6 points and 277 yards per game. Their offense is respectable as well, averaging 35.8 points and 442.6 yards per contest. Jonathan Taylor is leading the Wisconsin offense with 1,761 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jack Coan has thrown for 2,309 yards and 17 scores, while Quintez Cephus has 45 catches for 720 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, both Chris Orr and Zack Baun each have 11.5 sacks.
College Football Betting Trends
Ohio State
The Buckeyes have hit the over in five of their last six road games and in four of their last five games as an underdog.
Wisconsin
The Badgers have hit the over in four straight conference games, but have hit the under in five of their last six on a neutral field.
Prediction:
These two have hit the under in their last two meetings. The Oct. 26 meeting saw Ohio State dominate the Badgers, especially on defense. The Buckeyes held Wisconsin to just 191 total yards. Young was a menace, putting up four sacks and five tackles for loss on his own. Wisconsin did okay on defense for the first half, allowing just 10 points. However, Ohio State exploded in the second half behind its run game. The Buckeyes will need that run game this week if Fields is hampered with his mobility. It wasn’t a problem in Ann Arbor last week, but Wisconsin’s defense is a little tougher and provides more pressure. I think Ohio State could see a slight dip in offense this week on a neutral field, but I don’t see Wisconsin improve much offensively, Taylor had just 52 yards on 20 carries and it may not get any better. Coan isn’t capable of tearing this secondary apart on his own.
Big Ten Championship Prediction: Ohio State/Wisconsin Under 56