Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview: Are the Badgers a Good Bet to Cut Down Coan, Irish in Chicago?

Two of the top college football programs in the country clash at Soldier Field in Chicago, as undefeated Notre Dame takes on Wisconsin. Not only will it be one of Notre Dame’s toughest games of the season, it will have a personal element to it as well as Irish quarterback Jack Coan will be going up against his former team.

The Badgers lost their opener against Penn State at home, which hurt their hopes of winning the Big Ten. But that is a loss that has aged nicely with the Nittany Lions still undefeated and ranked in the top 10. Wisconsin is more than happy and capable of dinging the Irish in this spot, even in a neutral site game with many Notre Dame fans in attendance.

College Football Betting Matchup: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) vs Wisconsin Badgers (1-1), FOX, 12:00 p.m. ET

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers College Football Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish +194
• Wisconsin Badgers -245

Total

• OVER 44.5 (-108)
• UNDER 44.5 (-112)

Spread

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish +5.5 (-112)
• Wisconsin Badgers -5.5 (-108)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers college football betting odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Friday, September 24, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers Betting Outlook

Notre Dame is undefeated, but when you look closely you see a 1-2 ATS record. They needed overtime to beat Florida State, who subsequently lost to an FCS team; they barely knocked off Toledo, who lost last week to previously winless Colorado State; and they have a 14-point win over Purdue last week, which was a four-point game heading into the 4th quarter.

There has been nothing impressive about this team on offense. Quarterback Jack Coan did not complete even 50 percent of his passes last week, and RB Kyren Williams has not been anything close to All-American level as a runner. He actually has been better as a receiver this season.

On defense new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who came over in the offseason from Cincinnati, has not had much of a positive impact. Toledo will put up some points in the MAC but on the whole, the Irish have not played elite offensive teams and have barely been up to the task on defense. All-Everything safety Kyle Hamilton has three interceptions but beyond that, this group has been average.

Badgers Seeking Big Brand Win

It stung when the Badgers lost their opener to Penn State. It was not a bad loss but they were at home, and it put them in a bad spot with Iowa looking great as their competition in the Big Ten West Division. However, they did beat up Eastern Michigan in their next game looking much more Badger-like with 352 yards rushing in an ATS win.

That is how they want to play every week, but they just could not get the ground game going against Penn State. This Irish defense is not nearly as formidable. That is the reason the Badgers are the favorite against the undefeated Irish.

A great defense helps too. Even though they lost to Penn State that group was really good. In their last game, they limited Eastern Michigan to under 100 yards of total offense. The Eagles averaged less than one yard per carry on the ground and while EMU is certainly not Notre Dame on the offensive line, the Badgers defense looks very ready to make it difficult for the Fighting Irish to move the ball.

College Football Betting Trends to Consider for Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers

• Notre Dame is 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games against the Big Ten.
• The Fighting Irish are 6-2 ATS in their last eight neutral site games.
• The Fighting Irish are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Wisconsin is 6-1 ATS in their last seven non-conference games.
• The Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an SU win.
• The Badgers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers Best Bet

Wisconsin -5.5

I think this number may come down a little before kickoff as people will see ND as an underdog and get interested. As long as it stays under a touchdown I think the Badgers are the right side. I think their stingy defense will travel well for this neutral site game, and the offense should be effective enough to move the ball and score points against the Irish.

Look for the Badgers to take the lead then bleed the clock with their running game like only a few programs can.

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin Score Prediction

Wisconsin 27, Notre Dame 13