College Football

LSU vs. Wisconsin 2016 odds: Badgers a big betting underdog at Lambeau

The LSU Tigers head to Wisconsin as betting favorites at the sportsbooks as they prepare to take on the Badgers at Lambeau Field on Saturday.

by OddsShark

Sep 2, 2016, 2:00 PM UTC

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Since the beginning of the 2014 season, the LSU Tigers are 8-0 straight up and 6-2 against the spread in eight games as a double-digit favorite. The Tigers will try to keep that dominance going this year starting on Saturday facing the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field.

LSU is a 10.5-point favorite over Wisconsin at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The line opened at LSU -8.5, but has steadily moved up as betting action has come in on the Tigers.

The Tigers looked like they could be on their way to a playoff berth when they started the 2015 season off with a 7-0 SU and 4-3 ATS record. But an 0-3 SU and ATS run against Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss spoiled the Tigers’ season.

LSU gave up an average of 33 points per game over that three-game stretch and 24 points per game over the course of the season in an uncharacteristically down year for the defense. Wisconsin’s former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was brought in to shore up that unit this offseason.

The Tigers are 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS in their last seven games against Big Ten opponents per the OddsShark College Football Database. LSU defeated Wisconsin 28-24 in Wisconsin when the two teams last met in 2014.

Betting Line / Total: LSU -10.5 / 44.5 Points

Trend: The total has gone UNDER in eight of Wisconsin’s last 11 games.

Trend: LSU is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as favorite.

The Badgers upset the USC Trojans 23-21 in the Holiday Bowl last season, capping off a solid 10-3 SU and 6-7 ATS campaign. Wisconsin led the nation in scoring defense last season allowing just 13.1 points per game, and will try to keep that unit going strong with Justin Wilcox as Dave Aranda will be on the other sideline in this game.

Wilcox gets a tough first assignment in being tasked with finding a way to contain the nation’s best running back, Leonard Fournette. The Badgers are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in their last four games as a double-digit underdog.

Saturday’s total is set at 44.5 points. The OVER is 4-0 in LSU’s last four games as a favorite of 9.5 points or more.

In addition to replacing its defensive coordinator, Wisconsin will also be without last year’s starting quarterback and top wide receiver. LSU deserves to be a big favorite, but Wisconsin’s physical style should give the Tigers a good early test to start the season.