Wisconsin/Fresno State Spread, Predictions, Odds & Lines


September 11, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Wisconsin Badgers have moved into the Top-10 after a couple comfortable wins against opponents that were clearly overmatched.  To stay there, Wisconsin will be asked to do much more this week.  The Badgers travel to WAC opponent Fresno State to take on Pat Hill’s feisty Bulldogs Saturday.  Wisconsin will be looking to justify their lofty ranking against No. 21 Fresno State in the Bulldogs’ home opener.  Larry Cook has a BIG PLAY in this game Saturday as he has you betting against the Wisconsin/Fresno State spread.  This play comes along with 11 Saturday NCAA Football Picks for $24.95!  That’s a small price to pay for one of the best handicappers on the planet!

Wisconsin rushed for over 400 yards in their season-opening win over Akron, 38-17.  The Badgers proved they were more than just a running team last week, as quarterback Allan Evridge passed for 308 yards and a touchdown in a 51-14 rout of Marshall at Camp Randall Stadium.  The Badgers poured on six rushing touchdowns against the Thundering Herd, which was surprising considering that standout RB P.J. Hill was held to just 3.2 yards/carry.  Evridge took advantage of Marshall’s plan to stack eight in the box, completing 17-of-26 passes.  This shows the balance of the Badgers’ offense that Fresno State will have to deal with Saturday.  Get a 50% sign-up bonus at BetUs and bet Wisconsin -2 Saturday!

Standout tight end Travis Beckum may be available Saturday to help Wisconsin’s chances of coming away with a win.  Beckum racked up more than 900 yards receiving in each of the past two seasons, but hasn’t seen playing time yet this year as he’s nursing a hamstring injury.  Slow starts have hurt the Badgers in the first two games.  Wisconsin led Akron by only a touchdown at halftime in week 1.  Then the Badgers fell behind 14-0 to Marshall before scoring 51 unanswered points.  Another slow start would give Fresno State early confidence, which would not be a good thing for the Badgers.

Fresno State had last weekend off after beating up on Rutgers 24-7 in their opener.  That huge win surged the Bulldogs into the Top-25, which is well deserved considering Fresno went 9-4 last season and beat Georgia Tech handily n the Humanitarian Bowl.  Sophomore running back Ryan Mathews ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns against Rutgers, but it was their defense that looked most impressive.  Marving Hayes had two interceptions on Rutgers’ quarterback Mike Teel and the Bulldogs shut out the Scarlet Knights through three quarters.  Avoid juice and bet Fresno State money line +110 at Sportsbook.com!

Fresno State has been especially tough at home under Pat Hill.  The Bulldogs are 51-12 there since hiring Hill in 1997.  Wisconsin is the highest-ranked team ever to visit Fresno, which says a lot about how far the Bulldogs have come under Hill.  QB Tom Brandstater, who threw for 216 yards against Rutgers, believes his team can play with anyone in the country.  Fresno State beat Wisconsin in 2001 by a final of 32-20 in Madison.  They lost the following year at home, 23-21.  The Bulldogs are 1-4 in five games against Big Ten opponents in school history.  Since that loss to Fresno, the Badgers have been nearly unbeatable in non-conference play.  Wisconsin is now 26-1 in their last 27 regular-season games outside of the Big Ten, winning seven in a row on the road.

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