Army and Wisconsin might not excite anyone looking for a high-octane offensive performance. They might, in fact, set college football back about 100 years.
But what they do, they do well, better than nearly anyone else. In the Badgers’ case, that is stopping the run. In the Knights’ case, that is running repeatedly and methodically.
Something has to give Saturday night.
Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Army at Wisconsin on October 16, with kickoff set for 8:00 ET.
Army vs Wisconsin odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Army began the week as a 12.5-point underdog and by Thursday that had risen all the way up to two full touchdowns. The total, however, dropped from an already meager 43.5 on Sunday to as low as 37.5 at some books on Thursday, with most holding steady at 39.0. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Army vs Wisconsin picks
Picks made on 10/15/2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Army vs Wisconsin game info
• Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
• Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Big Ten Network
Army vs Wisconsin betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Army: Christian Anderson QB (Questionable), Tyson Riley RB (Questionable), Connor Bishop OL (Questionable).
Wisconsin: Jalen Berger RB (Out), Quan Easterling FB (Questionable), Logan Bruss OL (Questionable), Isaac Guerendo RB (Questionable), Jack Eschenbach TE (Out), Jordan Turner LB (Out), Deron Harrell CB (Out), Aaron Witt LB (Out), Tyler Mais S (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
In the last five seasons, the Knights have faced eight Power Five opponents and gone 6-2 ATS in those matchups, with three of those games coming down to less than a touchdown. Two of Wisconsin’s five games this year have had results that would have gone Under a total of 39.0, and four of last year’s seven would have. But only one of Army’s five games this season finished with a score under 39.0 and just four of last year’s 12 would have. Find more NCAA betting trends for Army vs. Wisconsin.
Army vs Wisconsin predictions
Army +14 (-110)
Knights quarterback Christian Anderson’s health may be pivotal, injuring his shoulder in Army’s 28-16 loss at Ball State two weeks ago. Anderson has added some multiplicity to Army’s traditional triple-option offense, taking 58 carries for 431 yards and five touchdowns while also throwing for three more scores with an average completion of 23.4 yards.
Most of the Knights’ offense can run through junior quarterback Tyhier Tyler, a more physical runner, but the keep-you-honest variety provided by Anderson could be crucial against the best run defense in the country.
Presuming his health, it could also be presumed Army will find a way to score at least once. And that may be all this spread needs.
Wisconsin averages 19.6 points per game, and that number comes against opponents who are not trying to shorten the game via ball control. As the Knights suffocate the game away, the chances of the Badgers exceeding 21 points will quickly dwindle.
Under 39.0 (-110)
That opening number of 43.5 would obviously have been preferable, and taking any Under below 40 takes a certain amount of fortitude, but asking these two teams to combine for six touchdowns is akin to asking them to forsake their entire identities.
Wisconsin gives up 2.51 yards per rush (sacks adjusted), so Army will not benefit from the blown run fits that often lead to triple-option offenses finding explosive plays. And the Knights have turned over the ball a total of three times this year, so they will not gift the Badgers with the short fields that are necessary for an offense averaging just 5.09 yards per play this season.
The entertaining version of this is that it should be a quick game, not that such comes into play in any handicap. Army’s longest game this year lasted three hours and 19 minutes. Let’s set that Over/Under at an even three hours.
Did you know that if you parlayed our Army vs. Wisconsin picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
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