Taking the prime time spotlight in college football today is the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game, which pits the Nebraska Cornhuskers against the Wisconsin Badgers. The game is scheduled for an 8:17 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX. Currently the odds have Nebraska favored by a field goal.
It definitely doesn't have the same spotlight on it as Alabama and Georgia, but the Big Ten title game tonight is going to be a fun one to watch. The game is being played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and it's the prime time contest on college football's landscape Saturday.
The No. 12 Nebraska Cornhuskers have certainly earned their way into the Big Ten Championship. They finished the regular season with 10 wins and their only loss in conference came to the 12-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is only here because of the Buckeyes' ineligibility stemming from "TattooGate" which ultimately led to the firing of Jim Tressel and the hiring of Urban Meyer. But, that's old news by this point and the Badgers will play for a chance at back-to-back Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl appearances.
The Badgers lost five games this year and four in conference — including a 30-27 loss to these same Huskers back in September. They also had losses to Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State. The final two teams beat the Badgers in consecutive games to end the season. To say they backed into this game would be an understatement. Yet, they're here all the same.
Nebraska has struggled in road games under Bo Pelini and while this isn't a "road game" it is being played at a neutral site. They beat Wisconsin at home back in September but trailed 27-10 late in that game. Wisconsin fell apart defensively and were outscored 20-0 in the last 22 minutes to lose. Just an FYI — Nebraska hasn't won a game out of state by more than six points all season.
What really concerns us about Wisconsin is their inability to have anyone at quarterback that knows what they are doing. They've used three guys under center so far this season and got some decent play with Joel Stave as their starter, but Curt Phillips has started the last three games. We don't believe either can beat Nebraska, but then again, with the way Wisconsin plays offensively, they won't need to, will they?
Montee Ball was an early season Heisman Trophy candidate and might have been the favorite, but key early struggles against Northern Iowa, Oregon State and Utah State slowed that down a bit. Plus he was injured early on. Now he's back and looking to get the Badgers into the Rose Bowl after back-to-back losses in overtime. In the team's first matchup this season Ball scored three times, despite only rushing for 90 yards on 32 attempts. He's certainly a workhorse and expect him to get the ball a lot in this one.
Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez is going to have to avoid turnovers, which should go without saying. He's a dual-threat guy, but Wisconsin knows how to play defense and they've already played, so knowing his tendencies will only help them. But how will the Badger defense respond? Three of their last four games were played in overtime, so they have to show some sign of fatigue. Huskers RB Rex Burkhead is a bruiser, but he always seems to be getting hurt in big spots.
We like Wisconsin in this game. Why? They've lost five games, yes, but they lost those five games by a COMBINED 19 points, four of which came by a field goal. They're a solid squad that plays the type of game needed when you're getting points — tough defense, efficient offense by running the football and milking that clock. We think this one goes down to the wire, but instead of losing by a field goal like they have so many times before, we're taking them to win.
Free Pick: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 20
College Football Free Picks: Wisconsin vs Nebraska Betting
What college football bettors need to know about Wisconsin Badgers vs Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday (12/01/12) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo with Bryan Leonard and host Scott Spreitzer.
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