by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, September 9, 2023
Venue: Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Wisconsin -6, WSU +6; Over/Under: 58.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Wisconsin -6.5, WSU +6.5; Over/Under: 58.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Wisconsin -6.5, WSU +6.5; Over/Under: 58.5 points
Season Record
Wisconsin Badgers: 1-0 (0-0) (2nd place, Big Ten West)
Washington State Cougars: 1-0 (0-0) (5th place, Pac-12)
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Recent Form
Wisconsin Badgers: won their last game at home against the Buffalo Bulls 38-17.
Washington State Cougars: won their last game on the road against the Colorado State Rams 50-24.
Wisconsin Badgers vs Washington State Cougars Preview and Analysis
Wisconsin is entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Buffalo 38-17. Tanner Mordecai was the starting QB and he completed 24/31 passes for 189 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Chez Mellusi led the team in rushing yards with 157 and 2 TDs. Will Pauling led the receivers with 55 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Hunter Wohler led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while no one recorded a sack for them in that one. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Washington State is entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 0-0 in their home games, 1-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against CSU 50-24. Cameron Ward was the starting QB and he completed 37/49 passes for 451 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Cameron Ward led the team in rushing yards with 40 and 1 TD. Lincoln Victor led the receivers with 168 receiving yards on 11 receptions. Chau Smith-Wade led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Jaden Hicks and Andrew Edson each led the defense in sacks with 1. Jaden Hicks and Jackson Lataimua each came away with 1 interception for them in that game.
Wisconsin vs Washington State Prediction
The current betting odds have Washington State listed as a 6 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Washington State looked really good in their 1st game of the season as they beat Colorado State on the road in the altitude and now they are coming back home for their home opener with a chip on their shoulder. This is the last year of the Pac-12 and as of right now, Wazzu is 1 of 2 teams who do not have a new conference to go to. They are going to be playing this entire season with a chip on their shoulder as they try to show they are worthy of being in a power 5 conference still. Wisconsin also looked good in their 1st game with their new look offense but they were also at home and still struggled to pull away from Buffalo at times. Now they are playing their 1st road game of the season and Washington State is no easy team to beat at home. WSU is a live underdog to win this game outright at home. The best way to place a bet here is on Washington State to cover the spread in this game.
Wisconsin Washington State Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 9, 2023 (7:30 pm ET start time) is WSU 24 Wisconsin 21.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Wisconsin Badgers Washington State Cougars prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Wisconsin Badgers: 1-7 ATS after out rushing their opponent by 150 or more yards last game. 1-7 ATS after out gaining opp by 175 or more total yards in their previous game. 6-3 UNDER in non-conference games. 14-7 UNDER against Pac Twelve conference opponents.
Washington State Cougars: 8-3 ATS when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 9-5 ATS in home games. 12-4 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins against the spread. 10-3 UNDER as an underdog. 7-2 UNDER in non-conference games.
Key Injuries
Wisconsin Badgers: T. Kekahuna (WR) Ques Sat - Foot. J. Pugh (TE) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. R. Nowakowski (TE) Ques Sat - Foot. C. Brooks Jr. (WR) Ques Sat - Foot. T. McIntosh (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. I. Mullens (DE) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. M. Lofy (CB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. A. Witt (LB) Ques Sat - Leg. J. Trudgeon (S) out for season - Undisclosed. A. Toombs (TE) out for season - Undisclosed. J. Renfro (OL) Out indefinitely - Foot. C. Large (TE) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Washington State Cougars: L. Smithson (WR) Prob Sat - Undisclosed. L. Falatea (DE) out for season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“We’re gonna be smart about what we do, and we’re gonna know it’s a process, okay? So when we go back in on Sunday we’re gonna getcha the schedule, and when we go back in on Sunday we’re gonna go right back to freakin’ work, get the things done that we need to get done and move on. Because we’re gonna continue to grow.” - Luke Fickell after his team’s win against Buffalo in their last game.
“Defensively, we go out there and really put together three complete quarters and then not finish. So, there’s lot of things that we will learn from this. Our guys have to come back ready to work and know that we need to get better.” - Jake Dickert after his team’s win against CSU in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Wisconsin Badgers
WR Dike, Chimere
WR Green, Bryson
WR Pauling, Will
TE Rucci, Hayden
QB Mordecai, Tanner
RB Allen, Braelon
Washington State Cougars
WR Kelly, Josh
WR Williams, Kyle
WR Victor, Lincoln
TE Mathers, Cooper
QB Ward, Cameron
RB Watson, Nakia
Statistical Leaders
Wisconsin Badgers
Passing: T. Mordecai (189)
Rushing: C. Mellusi (157)
Receiving: W. Pauling (55)
Touchdowns: B. Allen (2)
Washington State Cougars
Passing: C. Ward (451)
Rushing: C. Ward (40)
Receiving: L. Victor (168)
Touchdowns: J. Mateer (2)
Coaches:
Wisconsin Badgers: Luke Fickell (2nd season)
Washington State Cougars: Jake Dickert (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
