Wisconsin vs. South Florida Prediction
Is No. 19 Wisconsin in danger of being upset to open the season when it goes on the road to face South Florida tonight at 7PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
149 Wisconsin vs. 150 South Florida
Friday, August 30, 2019
7PM ET – Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Wisconsin is the favorite in this game, as the Badgers are getting odds of -11 points against South Florida. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 59 points. The public betting currently has 66 percent going on Wisconsin as the road 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.
Bulls looking to rebound
After a 10-2 record in 2017 under new coach Charlie Strong, the Bulls went just 7-6 last season and 3-5 in the AAC. The Bulls were just 4-9 against the spread in 2018 while posting a 7-6 record with the under.
The Bulls were in the middle of the road on both offense and defense last season. The offense put up just 28.5 points and 437.7 yards per game. The offense has nine starters back this year. Blake Barnett returns at QB. He threw for 2,705 yards and 12 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Leading rusher Jordan Cronkrite is back as well. He rushed for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. USF also brings back four starters on the offensive line. Defensively USF has six starters back from a unit that gave up 32 points and 446.6 yards per contest. Their run defense was among the worst in the nation, giving up 247.5 yards per game.
Badgers looking for big road win
Wisconsin is coming off a down year by its standards, going 8-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten. Paul Chryst is entering his fifth year as head coach. The Badgers were just 4-9 against the spread last season while posting a 7-6 record with the under.
The Badgers have a new starting quarterback taking over this year. Alex Hornibrook struggled in the role over recent years. Jack Coan will get the start on Friday. He threw for 515 yards last season in limited action. Coan only has to be average, as Wisconsin has one of the best backs in the game. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 2,194 yards and 16 yards as a sophomore to be the next in a line of great running backs at Wisconsin. Defensively, Wisconsin allowed 22.6 points and 344.2 yards per game. The defense has just three starters back this season.
College Football Betting Trends
South Florida
The Bulls are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games on grass, but 5-2 ATS in their last seven against Big Ten opponents.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is 9-2 against the spread in its last 11 games on grass and 13-4 ATS in its last 17 road games.
Prediction:
On paper, this game looks like it could be trouble for Wisconsin, but I think the Badgers will come out and play well. Taylor is an absolute stud back and the Badgers have been able to establish one of the best ground attacks in the country for decades. USF was torched on the ground last year, so it will be a lot to ask to stop Taylor. The Bulls also took a big step back last year and could be trending for even worse this year under Strong. I think his team gets beat up on the front line on both sides of the ball tonight.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Wisconsin -11
Related: Wisconsin vs. South Florida Total Prediction