LSU vs. Wisconsin Prediction
One of the featured games of the opening weekend of the College Football Season takes place at Lambeau Field when Wisconsin hosts No. 5 LSU on Saturday at 3:30PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, LSU is favored in this contest, as the Tigers are getting odds of -10 points against the Badgers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 44.5 points. These two met in 2014, with LSU rallying in the second half to get a 28-24 victory.
The Tigers are entering 2016 with big expectations, coming off a 9-3 record last season. However, this year’s team features the clear Heisman favorite in Leonard Fournette. He rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and is expected to do similar things this year if he can stay healthy. Forunette nearly ran for more than LSU threw for, as Brandon Harris threw for just 2,165 yards and 13 scores in 2015. Harris will need to take a step forward if the Tigers are going to contend for the title. It can’t be all on Fournette and the Tigers’ physical defense.
The Badgers are coming off a 10-3 record last year, with two of their losses coming by a combined 10 points. The Badgers had the top-ranked defense in the country last season when it comes to points allowed, giving up just 267 yards and 13.1 points per game. The problem with Wisconsin is the offense. Bart Houston is in his first year as starting QB. He saw limited action last year. In 2015, Wisconsin wasn’t able to run the ball like it normally had. Dare Ogunbowale was the leading rusher with just 819 yards. Corey Clement dealt with injuries most of the year, but is back for 2016 and hoping to push for a 1,000-yard season like he did in 2014.
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This should be a physical football game, as many expect. The total is low, at just 44.5 points. Back in 2014, these two posted just 42 points with more talent on both sides of the ball outside of Fournette. I am not sure Wisconsin is going to be able to do much on offense against LSU. I can see the Tigers breaking some big plays with Fournette, but LSU isn’t likely to put up 30 or more on this Wisconsin defense. Though the total is low, I think it will hit.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PREDICTION: LSU/WISCONSIN UNDER 44.5