Nebraska-Wisconsin Spread at -10

The Nebraska-Wisconsin spread was coming in at -10 after opening at -8 in favor of Wisconsin.  For a game that featured a double-digit line, this one was getting plenty of momentum.    

Sportsbook.com Spread & Total: Wisconsin -10 & 57

Opening Line & Total: Wisconsin -8 & 56

No. 7 Wisconsin gets its first real test of 2011 when it hosts No. 8 Nebraska on Saturday night.

The Badgers have been ridiculous, outscoring their four opponents 194 to 34 this year and ranking eighth in total offense (532 YPG) and seventh in total defense (247 YPG). Nebraska has given up more points than Bo Pelini is used to in September (22.0 PPG), but the rushing offense ranks eighth in the land (273 YPG), and the kick-return team leads the nation with a hefty 35.4-yard average. The Huskers are 10-2 SU in their past dozen road games, and 14-6 ATS in their past 20 games outside of Lincoln. The pick here is Nebraska to cover, and possibly win outright.

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The Huskers bring a potent ground game led by two players with almost the exact same rushing numbers in QB Taylor Martinez (63 rushes, 421 yds, 7 TD) and RB Rex Burkhead (63 rushes, 420 yds, 7 TD). Martinez has not thrown with great accuracy, completing just over half of his throws (43-for-85) for 647 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT. He has done a nice job spreading the wealth to his receivers, as the unit’s top four gainers all have between 111 and 139 receiving yards. After allowing 67 points in a two-game stretch to Fresno State and Washington, Nebraska settled down last week and held Wyoming to 14 points and 305 total yards on its home turf.

Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson is second in the nation in passing efficiency (218.38) with 11 TD and 1 INT, and RB Montee Ball has 480 total yards and 10 TD in four games. Sophomore James White is also running wild, especially in his past two games where he has 186 yards on just 17 carries (10.9 YPC). One player that has not lived up to high expectations in his career is senior WR Nick Toon, but he’s finishing up his college days in style with 299 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the past three weeks. Most of the Badgers defensive players have been great this year, but sophomore LB Chris Borland has been outstanding with 35 tackles (19 solo), 5.0 TFL and one interception.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter