College Football Odds: Michigan State at Wisconsin

If the 3-0 Badgers can get a win against the Spartans, then maybe they're not so overrated after all.   (AP Images)"]

I would argue that the Michigan State Spartans are easily the best 1-2 team in the country. Sparty has been the victim of some bad luck, although mostly of its own doing. Two weeks ago, all the Spartans had to do was recover an onside kick and they would have beaten Central Michigan. They didn't.

Then last week, with the Spartans trailing at Notre Dame by 3 points with just over a minute left, MSU's Larry Caper was all alone in the end zone for the likely winning touchdown catch, but he couldn't quite pull down a Kirk Cousins pass. The on the next play, from the Irish 18, Cousins inexplicably threw into traffic at the 4-yard line. It was picked off, meaning no tying field goal at a minimum and another heartbreaking loss for Sparty.

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As for Wisconsin, the Badgers might be one of the more overrated 3-0 teams in the country. They have beaten Northern Illinois and Wofford (yawn) and probably should have lost at home to Fresno State. Obviously Saturday's game with the Spartans will be Wisconsin's toughest test, and UW is a 3-point favorite on Bodog's college football odds.

The Badgers have been surprisingly balanced so far, having passed for 678 yards and run for 598. If QB Scott Tolzien is the real deal, this team might be something. The junior is 47-for-68 for 641 yards and four touchdowns, and he is second among Big Ten QBs in passer rating and completion percentage. It's the best start for a UW quarterback since 1993. Again, however, consider the competition so far. However, Michigan State has been susceptible against the pass, allowing 251.3 yards per game through the air.

Yet look for the Spartans to focus their defense more on stopping Wisconsin RB John Clay. He has 256 yards on the ground (5.3 yards per carry), including a career-high 143 against Fresno State.   He was ripped by his coach for fumbling three times against Wofford last week and thus might be very fired up for this week's game. Clay gained 111 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown last year in the Badgers' 25-24 loss to the Spartans last season. The Badgers also use Zach Brown as a change-of-pace back to Clay – the two had the same amount of carries last week.

On offense, Michigan State must find a consistent running attack, as that is averaging just 127 yards per game. The Badgers certainly will double-team top receiver Blair White, who has 22 receptions for 342 yards and four scores. The Spartans have the best passing game in the Big Ten, and the Badgers were shredded through the air by their best competition this year so far in Fresno State.

When doing your football betting at Bodog, consider that Michigan State has a 13-12 record all-time in Madison but that Wisconsin has won eight of the past 12 meetings overall.

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