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Big Ten Predictions: Week 9 picks against the spread

By Barry Leonard Jr.

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Oct 24, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Thomas (45) scores a touchdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin beat Illinois 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

  • Date: Saturday, October 31, 2015
  • Time: 12:00 PM Eastern
  • Location: Madison, WI
  • TV Channel: Big Ten Network
  • Spread: Wisconsin -20.5
  • Over/Under Total: 50

The Wisconsin Badgers look like a walking MASH unit. They have been riddled with key injuries all season and suffered three more to important players last week against Illinois. Veteran quarterback Joel Stave suffered a concussion, center Dan Voltz suffered a serious knee injury and wide receiver Rob Wheelwright suffered a leg injury in the same quarter as Voltz.

There’s an outside chance Stave, who’s still going through the concussion protocol, could play, but Voltz is out for the year and Wheelwright is out indefinitely. Fortunately, Wisconsin was able to pull through on the road last week behind backup quarterback Bart Houston, who replaced Stave in the first quarter. Houston completed 67 percent of his passes while throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions.

The Wisconsin offense has been average this year already and could struggle on Saturday due to all of the injuries.Luckily, Wisconsin is still one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation and is holding teams to just 11.1 points a game.

On the other side is a Rutgers team that has had its share of ups and downs, putting up 55 points two weeks ago versus Indiana, but then managing just seven last week against Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights have not been good defensively and currently rank 111th in total defense.

The offense has been inconsistent outside of star receiver Leonte Carroo. After being dismissed from the team and missing two games, Carroo was reinstated three weeks ago. He’s since accounted for six touchdowns and has nine total for the season.

Quarterback Chris Laviano has five games in which he surpassed 200 yards this season and has a total of 1.505 for the season. He’s shown an ability to go downfield, especially to Carroo, and help the Scarlet Knights put up points.

Carroo’s status for this week is still unknown, as he was questionable last week against Ohio State and missed the entire second half after playing in the first half. Along with him, wide receiver Janarion Grant and cornerback Blessuan Austin are also questionable for the contest with the Badgers.

This game is a tricky one thanks to all the injuries on both sides. Wisconsin should come out victorious, but it’s hard to tell by how much. The Badgers are decimated on offense. The defense will make it hard for Rutgers to score many points, especially if Carroo sits out. However, the Badgers themselves may not be able to put up too many, though playing a bad Rutgers defense will help.

Look for a win by the Badgers. With the help of the home crowd and perhaps a defensive touchdown, Wisconsin should be able to do just enough to squeak out the cover.

Next: Maryland at Iowa

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