Wisconsin vs. Purdue Prediction: Can We Trust the Boilermakers Against Tanner Mordecai, Badgers?
Purdue has had an up-and-down season to this point as they enter this home matchup with a record of 1-2. Do they have what it takes to grab a win at home in a revenge spot against a solid Wisconsin squad? Let's break it down.
Joey Ruiz - September 22, 2023, 1:03 PM EDT
5 minWisconsin vs. Purdue Prediction: Can We Trust the Boilermakers Against Tanner Mordecai, Badgers?
Wisconsin enters this game with a record of 2-1, but it has not been smooth sailing to this point. They have a new quarterback this season as SMU transfer, Tanner Mordecai chose the Badgers through the transfer portal, and he has not had a ton of success so far in this young season.
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 22, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FS1
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Prediction
The SMU transfer is averaging just 234 yards per game and has only four total touchdowns in three games compared to four total turnovers. While Mordecai has struggled a bit in this new offense, the Badgers' identity has remained the same as they continue to run the ball with a lot of success.
Wisconsin has a two-headed monster in the backfield with Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi, as they are averaging a combined 174 yards per game and are averaging 7.1 and 6.7 yards per carry. Purdue just got run over by Syracuse as quarterback Garrett Shrader ran for 195 yards and four touchdowns.
Purdue will need to stack the box and put more bodies toward the line of scrimmage to stop the run and force Mordecai to make plays with his arm, and if Purdue can do that, then I think they have a great chance to win. Wisconsin has also really struggled in the first half of games this season.
Wisconsin was up 14-10 at the half against Buffalo (-17) and barely missed the full game cover as they won by 21. Then they dropped a game at Washington State as they pretty much got dominated from the jump as they trailed at halftime 24-9 and then fell 31-22 as their second-half push was not enough to come back.
Then, in Week 3 against Georgia Southern, they were tied at seven at halftime and down 14-7 in the third quarter before scoring four straight touchdowns to cover the full game spread of -20.5 by a half-point as they won 35-14. The bottom line is that Wisconsin has not been super impressive this year and has basically just been coasting by in games against weaker competition.
When they were six-point favorites on the road (like they are tonight), they could not get the job done as they fell to Wazzou, and if Purdue can limit turnovers like they did against Virginia Tech, I think they have a great shot to win this game outright. This is a Big Ten rivalry game and a revenge spot for Purdue after losing by two touchdowns last season on the road against the Badgers, and I think we see a much closer game tonight.
With that being said, I am rolling with Purdue 1H +3.5 -110 and Purdue Full Game +6.5 at -110 for 1U each for a split-up 2U position on Purdue as my most confident college football plays of the day for tonight's action.
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Pick
- 1u Purdue 1H +3.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds.
- 1u Purdue Full Game +6.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds.
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