Wisconsin vs. South Florida predictions, odds: How to bet and watch
No. 19 Wisconsin travels to South Florida in a game where both teams will look to start the year right after disappointing seasons last year.
Wisconsin didn’t reach 10 wins last season for the first time since 2013 and South Florida failed to reach that same mark unlike they did in the previous two seasons. It’s needless to say that both of the programs failed to reach their high expectations, and will be looking to reverse that in 2019.
For former Texas head coach, Charlie Strong, after going 10-2 with a bowl win in his first season, his third season is gearing up to be his most important. This was a South Florida team that struggled on too many fronts last season.
They gave up 33. 5 points per game coming in at No. 97 in the nation. Most of the problems stemmed from getting torched on the ground as the Bulls were No. 121 in rushing yards allowed per game last season, giving up a whopping 252 yards on average. If they can’t get that fixed for the Badgers it could get ugly very quickly.
For Wisconsin, they had one of the best players in college football in Jonathan Taylor last season, but still lost to the likes of BYU, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Expect them to clutch to the run this season again, and especially against the likes of a Bull defense that is as bad as it was last year against the run.
That being said, starting quarterback for the Badgers, Jack Coan will look to establish a better passing game right away against a Bulls defense that was No. 42 in the country in pass defense last year. For the Bulls, Blake Barnett will be behind center, but their real strength will be behind their running back Jordan Cronkrite who will take his hand against a Wisconsin rushing defense that was average against the run last season.
- Date: Friday, Aug. 30
- Start: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Odds: Wisconsin -11.5
- Over/Under: 59.0
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: I don’t think that this game is going to be as high-scoring as the oddmakers have put this one simply because these offenses will be run focused. Taylor will put up some insane numbers against what should be a bad South Florida run defense again and Cronkrite will put up good numbers of his own. But overall, Taylor and the Wisconsin defense that ranked No. 27 in points allowed last season, will be too much for South Florida to overcome. I see Wisconsin covering the 11.5 spread and I’m also taking the under.
Score: Wisconsin 27, South Florida 10