The Wisconsin Badgers are favored by a single point over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Capital One Bowl, but the computer doesn't think this game will be that close.
South Carolina vs. Wisconsin odds: Capital One Bowl betting prediction, preview, trends
The computer says Wisconsin will cover the Capital One Bowl odds against South Carolina.
According to Oddsshark.com, the Badgers are listed as a 1.5-point favorite at most sportsbooks. The computers, however, forecast a 34-27 win for Wisconsin when it squares off with USC in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1.
The Badgers are just 1-5 straight up over their last six bowl games, with a current streak of three straight bowl losses. The Gamecocks have won each of their last two bowl games, but are 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread over their last five.
For as strong as Wisconsin’s 9-3 SU and ATS campaign was in 2013, the Badgers had the numbers to be even better had a few more bounces gone their way.
Ranking 18th in the nation with 486.8 yards per game on offense and sixth in total yardage against (294 yards per game), the Badgers often dominated their competition on both sides of the ball on a week-to-week basis. All three of Wisconsin’s losses came by a touchdown or less.
The Capital One Bowl betting history shows a decided recent edge to SEC schools, who are 4-1 ATS in the past five games. South Carolina is also 4-1 straight up since 1999 in bowl games against Big Ten teams.
After going 5-2 SU and 2-5 ATS through their first seven games, the Gamecocks finished the season on a very strong note with a 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS run that included impressive wins over Missouri and Clemson.
Like Wisconsin, South Carolina was rock solid on both sides of the ball this year. It finished 33rd in total yards on offense and 18th in total yards against.
Since 2008, the team representing the SEC is 4-1 SU and ATS against its Big Ten foe over the last five Capital One Bowls.
On paper, this may be the best non-BCS bowl game this January. Fans of smash-mouth football can’t afford to miss this game, with both teams featuring physical run games and a couple of future pros on defense. While the Badgers and Gamecocks might’ve had to take a bit of a back seat to a couple of other BCS-bound schools out of the Big Ten and SEC, this game will give them a chance to shine on the national stage as the entire country settles in for a long day of football.
Capital One Bowl computer prediction: 34-27 Wisconsin Badgers (from Odds Shark’s picks engine)
More from SB Nation college football:
