Best Bets: Wisconsin Football vs. Purdue Boilermakers

For the third straight week, Wisconsin football sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. This time during their 35-14 win over Georgia Southern. 

The Badgers offense looked lost in the first half, aside from their lone touchdown drive early in the second quarter. 

Despite forcing three turnovers and only allowing seven points in the first half, the defense got carved apart by a future financial consultant named Davis Brin.   

And if you thought they played well in the first half, you’re delusional and don’t know ball.  

The second half went much better, and it felt like I was watching the team I’d envisioned during the off-season. 

It helped the coaching staff remember they had Braelon Allen after halftime, which has been a trend early in the season. 

Allen has 14 carries for 58 yards and no touchdowns in the 1st half this year. He posted 197 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in the second half of games. 

Something needs to change as Wisconsin enters Big Ten play this Friday against Purdue. 

Now that’s off my chest, let’s look at the week three best bet results. 

Wisconsin Football Week Three Gambling Results

Losers:

Chez Mellusi Rushing Yards over 64.5 (+125) – Mellusi was solid but nothing special. He finished with 61 yards on 15 carries, so the opportunities were there. The only thing missing was the result, which turned out is the most important. 

Braelon Allen over 99.5 rushing yards (+100) – Finished with 94 yards on 12 carries, basically all in the second half. Disgusted with the coaching staff that this didn’t hit. 

Will Pauling over 49.5 receiving yards (+100) – Couldn’t have been more wrong about this one. Watching Pauling finish with one catch for 16 yards was disheartening. 

Colorado -24 vs. Colorado State (-110) – Colorado pulled out a victory in double overtime in the best game of the weekend. I should’ve known Colorado State would come to play. 

Hawaii vs. Oregon Game Total Over 68 (-110) – Oregon won this handily as expected, walking away with a 55-10 victory. I was banking on Hawaii scoring more than 10 for this to hit. No such fucking luck. 

Winners:

Wisconsin Football -20 vs. Georgia Southern (-110) – It was ugly, and the Badgers needed all six of those turnovers to cover in this one. 

But hey, good teams win, GREAT teams cover. 

Wisconsin vs. Georgia Southern Game Total Under 65 (-110) – It took me about a quarter to realize this was the easiest money I would ever make. 

Davis Brin over 274.5 Passing Yards (+150) – The Badgers’ pass defense was so bad Brin hit this in the first half. 

Tanner Mordecai Under 254.5 Passing Yards (-130) – He had to pucker up on this one until Mordecai got pulled for Braedyn Locke with 236 yards passing on the day. 

East Carolina vs. Appalachian State Game Total over 47.5 (-110) – App State won 43-28, as this bet easily cashed. 

Season Record: 8-17-0 

It was not the start we were looking for, but a much-needed winning week gives me hope moving forward. 

Wisconsin Football Best Bets. vs. Purdue

Sep 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell celebrates with players after a Badgers touchdown against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

These odds are via the DraftKings SportsBook as of Wednesday at 6:50 p.m.

Wisconsin Football -6 vs. Purdue (-110) – Wisconsin has been up and down the first three games of the season, and at least once a week, I want to give up on this team. But the Badgers are much more talented than Purdue, and I’ll lay points with Wisconsin this week. 

Game Total over 53.5 (-110) – Purdue is allowing over 30 points per game, and two of their three games have hit over 53.5. 

Wisconsin football has only gone over 53.5 in one of their three games this season, which is cause for concern. 

But Purdue’s defense is that bad, and I think they’ll be able to put up enough points with their pass-happy approach to hit over this number. 

Hudson Card over 257.5 passing yards (-115) – Purdue loves to throw the ball and will need to do it successfully if they want to be competitive in this game. 

Wisconsin football can’t defend the pass. 

So this sets up perfectly for another opposing quarterback to his over for passing yards.  

Braelon Allen over 83.5 yards rushing (-115) – This is the Best Bet of the week. 

EMPTY. THE. FUCKING. CLIP. 

Purdue is fresh off of giving up 271 yards rushing to Syracuse, and Allen has shown twice this season he can hit this number in less than a half of football. 

Other CFB Bets I Like

Appalachian State vs. Wyoming Game Total Over 43.5 (-110) – Going back to Appalachian State, their game total this week. App State is 3-0 on overs this season, and with a number this low it should continue. 

Iowa +14.5 vs. Penn State (-112) – The over/under is 40 for this game, as it should be a defensive struggle. Iowa will keep it within two touchdowns if it plays out that way. 

If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Always bet responsibly.

Badgers Country. Let’s ride.

You can also follow me on Twitter @FrznPizzaCooper. There you’ll find jokes, music takes, offensive line talk (especially anything Larry Allen related), Larry Bird highlights (I got a thing for Larry’s what can I say), and of course my Wisconsin football musings for badgernotes.com.

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