The No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers broke an 0-3 SU and ATS stretch against SEC opponents last season with a 34-31 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl. The Badgers will be looking to pull off another upset over an SEC team when they clash with the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium this Saturday night.
Wisconsin vs. Alabama 2015 odds: Crimson Tide favored in Arlington
In the opening week’s only game between two ranked teams, the Badgers face the Crimson Tide in Arlington with Alabama a double-digit favorite.
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Wisconsin is a 10.5-point betting underdog against the Crimson Tide, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The Badgers are 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five games as the underdog.
Last season, Wisconsin’s offense ran through Melvin Gordon, who rushed for a staggering 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns. Corey Clement takes over in the backfield this season and is a capable but relatively inexperienced rusher. For the offense to succeed in 2015, senior quarterback Joel Stave will need to carry more of a load then he did last season.
Wisconsin went 11-3 SU last season but just 6-8 ATS, including a 1-3 ATS finish down the stretch, according to the OddsShark College Football Database.
In many ways, the 2014 season was business as usual for the Alabama Crimson Tide, who racked up a 12-1 SU regular season and looked poised for success in the first-ever College Football Playoff. But as a 7.5-point favorite against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Crimson Tide had no answer for Cardale Jones and fell, 42-35, in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Alabama should once again be in national title contention with a bruising offensive line, a great running game and a strong defense. But the big question mark in Tuscaloosa is at quarterback, where up to five players are currently in contention for snaps. The Crimson Tide are 4-11-1 ATS over their last 16 games.
The total has gone OVER in each of Alabama’s last four games and the OVER is 3-0-2 in Wisconsin’s last five games. Saturday night’s total for the Badgers vs. Crimson Tide betting matchup is set at 50.5 points.
For Wisconsin, this game serves as a potential statement game that even without Gordon the Badgers can be an elite team under head coach Paul Chryst. The pressure will be on Alabama in this one to not only get the win, but to find some answers under center as well.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
When: Saturday, September 5, 8:00pm ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Betting Line / Total: Alabama -10.5 / 50.5 Points
