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Wisconsin moves on, focused on Iowa
September 18, 2018
By The Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) This is no time to sulk at Wisconsin.
The upset loss to BYU might still sting, but the 18th-ranked Badgers must move on. Beating Iowa this weekend to open Big Ten play would sure give Wisconsin a lift.
''You don't ever want to rely on losing as a source to go win. That's never going to end well,'' offensive lineman Michael Deiter said. ''But if you do have hiccups ... it should be a feeling that you never want to feel again.''
As if there wasn't enough motivation already ahead of this year's trophy game at Kinnick Stadium, Wisconsin (2-1) is also coming off its first nonconference home loss since 2003, after getting beaten by the Cougars, 24-21 last week.
The offense was inconsistent in spite of having nine returning starters, including star running back Jonathan Taylor and the entire offensive line. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook struggled for much of the game.
BYU stood up to the bullish Badgers, who usually wear down nonconference opponents, especially at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin has a relatively young roster, and most of the key players on this team haven't experienced that kind of surprising defeat.
Deiter, a senior captain, said on Monday that he was looking for heightened intensity this week.
''It doesn't need to be a lot of `hoorah' stuff, but you need to feel the sense of urgency in practice, starting today,'' Deiter said.
A trendy pick this season to make the College Football Playoffs, Wisconsin took a hit to its resume with the BYU loss. The good news for the Badgers is that the defeat had no bearing on their ability to win the Big Ten.
The first step to doing that is beating Iowa on the road on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes figured to be Wisconsin's toughest challenge again in the West Division race.
Coach Paul Chryst isn't usually one to give emotional speeches. One of the Badgers' strengths under Chryst has been mental toughness and an unflinching attitude under pressure.
Emotional play can lead to momentum swings in games ''and yet I think it really comes down to playing good football,'' Chryst said. ''Those five, six, even, eight plays ... you look at them and those become significant. What's awesome when you play those games is you don't know when those plays are going to come.''
What Wisconsin would like to do is swing those plays in its favor again at Iowa.
''There is a lot of season left, a lot of football to be played,'' safety D'Cota Dixon said. ''I'm worried about getting our guys back and bouncing back.''
Notes: OLB Andrew Van Ginkel is listed as questionable with a right leg injury. The Badgers' best pass rusher got hurt in the first quarter against BYU and returned to the sideline in the second half wearing a boot on his right foot. ... Starting TE Zander Neuville (right leg) is also questionable.
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Wisconsin at Iowa
September 18, 2018
By Kyle Markus
NCAA Football Game Preview - Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes
The Wisconsin Badgers may have been knocked out of the national championship picture already with a home loss last time out to BYU. A run of the table seems like the only realistic way to the College Football Playoff, and while it’s extremely unlikely, the first step would be a win on Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Wisconsin was expected to beat the Cougars and head into Big Ten play both undefeated and ranked in the top-6 nationally, but neither happened. Iowa gets this game at home after a 3-0 start and would love to deal another upset loss to the Badgers.
Wisconsin has the superior talent but it needs to get some things figured out. This is a critical matchup for both teams in NCAA football betting lines.
This NCAA football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes will be held at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa CIty, Iowa at 8:30 p.m ET on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018. The contest will be nationally televised on FOX.
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin opened as a 3.5-point favorite but that number is down to a field goal as the betting action is backing Iowa after the Badgers’ clunker last time out. The scoring total is listed at 43.5 points. While the college football world is full of shootout games, it is always easy to count on the Big Ten to have a few slugfests each week, and this should be one of them in NCAA football gambling.
Last Time Out
Wisconsin is smarting after falling to BYU by a score of 24-21 in its most recent contest. The Badgers were tied at 21 in the fourth quarter but the Cougars hit a field goal with about 10 minutes remaining and Wisconsin’s own field goal try with under a minute remaining was errant. Wisconsin’s most glaring issue was stopping BYU running back Squally Canada. He carried the ball 11 times for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Iowa played a lesser opponent but didn’t have nearly the same issue, rolling to a 38-14 victory over Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes led 38-0 through three quarters and cruised the rest of the way. Iowa had more than 300 yards of total offense by halftime and was never challenged. Tight end Noah Fant was the one leading the way, catching five passes for 99 yards.
Player To Watch
Alex Hornibrook -- The Badgers’ quarterback didn’t play well against BYU, completing 18-of-28 passing for 190 yards and an interception. Wisconsin is predicated on its running game and Jonathan Taylor is the star on offense, but Hornibrook needs to do better.
He has 37 career touchdowns against 24 interceptions, which is not a very good ratio. The Iowa defense would love to force Hornibrook into a lot of passing attempts in this one and hope to pick him off.
Free NCAA Football ATS Picks
Wisconsin had some issues last time out but this is still a pretty good team. The Badgers have a solid defense and need their offensive line to step up like usual and dominate this game. Wisconsin has the personnel advantage but playing on the road against a quality opponent is never easy.
This is going to be a grind-it-out affair which could come down to one or two big plays. Look for the Wisconsin defense to make that splash play on defense to lead its team to a narrow victory. The Badgers are the pick to cover but by the slimmest of amounts in NCAA football gambling. The scoring total is low but the “under” is still the choice as this one is going to be defensive battle.
NCAA Football ATS Pick: Wisconsin Badgers 21, Iowa Hawkeyes 17
September 18, 2018
By The Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) This is no time to sulk at Wisconsin.
The upset loss to BYU might still sting, but the 18th-ranked Badgers must move on. Beating Iowa this weekend to open Big Ten play would sure give Wisconsin a lift.
''You don't ever want to rely on losing as a source to go win. That's never going to end well,'' offensive lineman Michael Deiter said. ''But if you do have hiccups ... it should be a feeling that you never want to feel again.''
As if there wasn't enough motivation already ahead of this year's trophy game at Kinnick Stadium, Wisconsin (2-1) is also coming off its first nonconference home loss since 2003, after getting beaten by the Cougars, 24-21 last week.
The offense was inconsistent in spite of having nine returning starters, including star running back Jonathan Taylor and the entire offensive line. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook struggled for much of the game.
BYU stood up to the bullish Badgers, who usually wear down nonconference opponents, especially at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin has a relatively young roster, and most of the key players on this team haven't experienced that kind of surprising defeat.
Deiter, a senior captain, said on Monday that he was looking for heightened intensity this week.
''It doesn't need to be a lot of `hoorah' stuff, but you need to feel the sense of urgency in practice, starting today,'' Deiter said.
A trendy pick this season to make the College Football Playoffs, Wisconsin took a hit to its resume with the BYU loss. The good news for the Badgers is that the defeat had no bearing on their ability to win the Big Ten.
The first step to doing that is beating Iowa on the road on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes figured to be Wisconsin's toughest challenge again in the West Division race.
Coach Paul Chryst isn't usually one to give emotional speeches. One of the Badgers' strengths under Chryst has been mental toughness and an unflinching attitude under pressure.
Emotional play can lead to momentum swings in games ''and yet I think it really comes down to playing good football,'' Chryst said. ''Those five, six, even, eight plays ... you look at them and those become significant. What's awesome when you play those games is you don't know when those plays are going to come.''
What Wisconsin would like to do is swing those plays in its favor again at Iowa.
''There is a lot of season left, a lot of football to be played,'' safety D'Cota Dixon said. ''I'm worried about getting our guys back and bouncing back.''
Notes: OLB Andrew Van Ginkel is listed as questionable with a right leg injury. The Badgers' best pass rusher got hurt in the first quarter against BYU and returned to the sideline in the second half wearing a boot on his right foot. ... Starting TE Zander Neuville (right leg) is also questionable.
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Wisconsin at Iowa
September 18, 2018
By Kyle Markus
NCAA Football Game Preview - Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes
The Wisconsin Badgers may have been knocked out of the national championship picture already with a home loss last time out to BYU. A run of the table seems like the only realistic way to the College Football Playoff, and while it’s extremely unlikely, the first step would be a win on Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Wisconsin was expected to beat the Cougars and head into Big Ten play both undefeated and ranked in the top-6 nationally, but neither happened. Iowa gets this game at home after a 3-0 start and would love to deal another upset loss to the Badgers.
Wisconsin has the superior talent but it needs to get some things figured out. This is a critical matchup for both teams in NCAA football betting lines.
This NCAA football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes will be held at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa CIty, Iowa at 8:30 p.m ET on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018. The contest will be nationally televised on FOX.
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin opened as a 3.5-point favorite but that number is down to a field goal as the betting action is backing Iowa after the Badgers’ clunker last time out. The scoring total is listed at 43.5 points. While the college football world is full of shootout games, it is always easy to count on the Big Ten to have a few slugfests each week, and this should be one of them in NCAA football gambling.
Last Time Out
Wisconsin is smarting after falling to BYU by a score of 24-21 in its most recent contest. The Badgers were tied at 21 in the fourth quarter but the Cougars hit a field goal with about 10 minutes remaining and Wisconsin’s own field goal try with under a minute remaining was errant. Wisconsin’s most glaring issue was stopping BYU running back Squally Canada. He carried the ball 11 times for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Iowa played a lesser opponent but didn’t have nearly the same issue, rolling to a 38-14 victory over Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes led 38-0 through three quarters and cruised the rest of the way. Iowa had more than 300 yards of total offense by halftime and was never challenged. Tight end Noah Fant was the one leading the way, catching five passes for 99 yards.
Player To Watch
Alex Hornibrook -- The Badgers’ quarterback didn’t play well against BYU, completing 18-of-28 passing for 190 yards and an interception. Wisconsin is predicated on its running game and Jonathan Taylor is the star on offense, but Hornibrook needs to do better.
He has 37 career touchdowns against 24 interceptions, which is not a very good ratio. The Iowa defense would love to force Hornibrook into a lot of passing attempts in this one and hope to pick him off.
Free NCAA Football ATS Picks
Wisconsin had some issues last time out but this is still a pretty good team. The Badgers have a solid defense and need their offensive line to step up like usual and dominate this game. Wisconsin has the personnel advantage but playing on the road against a quality opponent is never easy.
This is going to be a grind-it-out affair which could come down to one or two big plays. Look for the Wisconsin defense to make that splash play on defense to lead its team to a narrow victory. The Badgers are the pick to cover but by the slimmest of amounts in NCAA football gambling. The scoring total is low but the “under” is still the choice as this one is going to be defensive battle.
NCAA Football ATS Pick: Wisconsin Badgers 21, Iowa Hawkeyes 17
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