Best Bets: Wisconsin Football vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

For the first time in over a month, Wisconsin Badgers football went a weekend without making me lose my fucking mind. 

Shout-out bye weeks. 

After a rough three weeks of gambling to start the season, I finally found some success in the Badgers’ last game against Purdue. I have no doubt I will carry that momentum into the Waste Management Bowl as Wisconsin takes on Rutgers on Saturday. 

Now, you might think the bye week could hurt my gambling brain, but you’d be mistaken. I’m Andy Reid, off a bye week, baby; the board is crystal clear to me right now. 

Before we get into this week’s picks, let’s review my results from two weeks ago and hope I’m not closer to attempting to break an eating world record.

Wisconsin Football Week Four Gambling Results

Sep 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell waits to lead his team onto the field prior to the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Losers: 

Hudson Card over 257.5 passing yards (-115) – Card finished with 202 yards and threw the ball 38 times. His two interceptions were a killer. Not completing a pass for more than 20 yards didn’t help either. 

Appalachian State vs Wyoming Game Total Over 43.5 (-110) – Wyoming ended up winning this game 22-19. App State kicked 4 field goals in the first half, got a kick blocked, and threw an interception in the red zone with 12 seconds left to play. 

This one hurt my fucking soul. 

Iowa +14.5 vs. Penn State (-112) – Should’ve not been a big dumb idiot and taken the under. Iowa’s offense might not score against some high school teams.

Winners:

Wisconsin Football -6 vs. Purdue (-110) – The Badgers won easily 38-17. Purdue got back within 10 points late in the game, but there was never a doubt Wisconsin would cover. 

Wisconsin Football vs. Purdue Game Total over 53.5 (-110) – I was ready to throat punch Luke Fickell when the Badgers lined up for two after their final touchdown. Luckily for his trachea, it worked out.

Braelon Allen over 83.5 yards rushing (-115) –  I TOLD YOU!!! EMPTY. THE. FUCKING. CLIP. 

What more can I say? 

Season Record: 11-20-0 – Need a big week to start sniffing the 50% mark so I don’t have to attempt to break a world record.

Wisconsin Football Best Bets. vs. Rutgers

Nov 6, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Grover Bortolotti (43) carries the ball during the second half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Robert Longerbeam (7) pursues at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers +14 vs. Wisconsin Football (-110) – *The current line is +13 but I got it at +14 on Tuesday. Fuck I’m smart.*

The Badgers are coming off their most complete game of the season and a bye week. They’ll win this game, but Rutgers will keep it close with a few big plays on offense and their solid run defense that allows under 100 yards per game. 

Tanner Mordecai Over 19.5 rushing yards (-125) – Would’ve loved -115 or -110 for this bet, but I get it. Mordecai has hit over 20 rushing yards in three straight games. The injury to Chez Mellusi only adds to his rushing upside. 

JaQuae Jackson (Rutgers) over 27.5 yards receiving (-115) – Rutgers runs the ball 60% of the time, but Jackson is their big play threat in the passing game. Jackson has 207 yards on only 11 receptions this season and has hit over this total in two straight games. 

Wisconsin Football vs. Rutgers Game Total Over 44 (-110) – This is the Best Bet of the week. 

EMPTY. THE. FUCKING. CLIP. 

You read that right. We’re right back to emptying the clip this week. 

Every game the Badgers have played this year has hit over 44 points. I don’t expect it to stop this week. Even with Rutgers only having two games over 44 points this year. 

Other CFB Bets I Like

Texas vs Oklahoma Game Total Over 60.5 (-110) – You can’t take the under in the Red River Rivalry. Both teams also happen to average over 35 points per game. 

Washington State +3.5 vs. UCLA (-115) – Cam Ward has been playing out of his mind for Wazzu and this is a legit top-15 football team in the country. Might sprinkle Wazzu money line (+142) if I wake up feeling frisky. 

Michigan -18.5 vs. Minnesota (110) – Michigan is on the road for this one but it won’t matter. They are levels better than Minnesota, and their defense will be too much for PJ Fleck and Co. to handle. 

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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