Rivals Nebraska, Wisconsin Meet with Bowl Eligibility at Stake
Nebraska vs Wisconsin Odds: Badgers Favored by 4.5 at Home
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Wisconsin Badgers are both on the brink of the postseason, needing one more victory to become bowl eligible. The Big Ten Conference rivals will square off Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET) hoping to hit that threshold.
Wisconsin is a 4.5-point home favorite (-110) and -195 on the moneyline. Conversely, Nebraska is +4.5 (-110) on the spread and +165 to pull off the upset. The projected total is 37 (-110 Over, -110 Under).
Which team has the edge? Read on as we break down both schools and assess the Nebraska vs Wisconsin odds in our college football game preview.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Wisconsin Badgers 
Date/Time: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Camp Randall Stadium; Madison, WI.
Streaming: NBC
Betting Trends
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 2-5 against the spread over their last seven NCAAF games and 4-6 overall. The total has gone Under in 13 of Nebraska’s last 19 games, including six times this season. The Wisconsin Badgers are also 4-6 ATS. That includes a 2-4 mark at home. The total has gone Under in five of the Badgers’ last six games. That’s important to remember when assessing the Nebraska vs Wisconsin odds.
Wisconsin Reeling
The Wisconsin Badgers dropped their third straight game last week, falling 24-10 to Northwestern. A 12-point favorite, Wisconsin fell behind 21-3 at halftime and never recovered.
At 3-4 in Big Ten Conference play and 5-5 overall, Wisconsin still needs one victory to ensure bowl eligibility in Luke Fickell’s first college football season. Obviously, anything short of that would be a major disappointment. The Badgers — projected for 8.5 wins — have made a bowl game every year since 2002.
Fortunately, Wisconsin is getting healthier. Tanner Mordecai, a transfer from SMU, returned Saturday to throw for 255 yards on 31 of 45 passing. It was Mordecai’s first game since Oct. 14 because of a broken throwing hand.
Despite Mordecai’s return, Wisconsin was held under 20 points for the third straight game. It’s scored just 34 points during its three-game losing streak. For the season, Wisconsin ranks 74th in total offense (372.3 yards per game). Keep that in mind when analyzing the Nebraska vs Wisconsin odds.
Without an obvious fix, Wisconsin must hope it can turn around its issues over its final two games (Nebraska, Minnesota). The Badgers (+10000) are technically still alive in the Big Ten West, only because Iowa has yet to pull away atop the football standings. The Hawkeyes are 5-2 in conference play and 8-2 overall.
One Step Forward, One Back
Like Wisconsin, the Nebraska Cornhuskers need one more win to become bowl eligible. Following back-to-back losses, the Cornhuskers’ wait continues.
Nebraska lost 13-10 to Maryland last week, managing only 269 total yards. The Cornhuskers, 2-point underdogs, fell on a 24-yard field goal as time expired.
Regardless, Nebraska — projected for 6.0 wins — has seen a promising turnaround. The Cornhuskers (5-5, 3-4) have already matched their most wins since 2019. Another victory will guarantee the school its first bowl appearance in seven years.
Can the Cornhuskers take the next step under Matt Rhule? In time, perhaps, but they’ll need a more consistent showing on offense. The Cornhuskers have topped 20 points just once in their last six games, a 31-14 victory over Purdue on Oct. 28. They rank just 114th nationally in total offense (312.5 yards per game), better than only four Big Ten teams.
It certainly doesn’t help that senior Billy Kemp IV, the Cornhuskers’ leading receiver with 23 receptions for 246 yards, has been dealing with an MCL sprain.Kemp IV returned last week after missing two games.
Handicapping the Game
Wisconsin has dominated this rivalry over the last decade, with nine straight wins over Nebraska. That includes five consecutive victories at home. If it’s any consolation, the Cornhuskers have played well enough to cover the spread in five of the last seven meetings. Be sure to note that in your betting odds calculator.
Both teams appear to be more evenly matched this season, especially with Wisconsin continuing to struggle despite Mordecai’s return. Mordecai has thrown for only three touchdowns in seven games, two fewer than freshman Braedyn Locke. That’s hard to explain.
Based on what we’ve seen for a majority of the season, this game’s shaping up to be close and low-scoring. It’s fair to assume that’ll continue. If you’re hesitant to bet the spread, Under 37 (-110) may also be an option.
For NCAAF best bets, odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
