USC hosts their first conference game as a member of the Big Ten, welcoming in Wisconsin as both teams look to rebound in Week 5. Which team has the biggest advantage in our Wisconsin vs. USC prediction?
Wisconsin vs. USC Betting Preview
All Wisconsin vs. USC odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
- Spread
USC -15.5 - Moneyline
Wisconsin +470, USC -650 - Over/Under
50.5 - Game Time
Saturday, Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET - Location
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles - Predicted Weather at Kick
74 degrees, mostly sunny - How To Watch
CBS
This line has jumped a ton since it opened as USC -6. It has now climbed above two touchdowns to USC -15.5, primarily due to USC’s opening week win over LSU and Wisconsin being dominated by Alabama at home two weeks ago, 42-10.
The total hasn’t seen quite as much movement, falling from the opening number of 53.5 down to 50.5.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
USC suffered its first loss against the spread (ATS) on Saturday. As -4.5 road favorites at Michigan, they fell on a last-second Michigan touchdown 27-24. They come into this one 2-1 ATS on the season.
Wisconsin has struggled against the spread, failing to cover in all three of its early season contests, twice as a favorite and once as an underdog.
Prediction for Wisconsin vs. USC
I’ve only picked one Wisconsin game in 2024 and called for Wisconsin to be overwhelmed by Alabama at home, mainly because their offense can’t figure it out.
Now with veteran quarterback and Miami transfer Van Dyke out for the season, I don’t see things getting much better for the Badgers. When Longo was hired as the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin under Luke Fickell, it appeared to be what the Badgers needed.
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They veered away from the traditional Wisconsin ground-and-pound mentality and instituted more of the air raid attack that Longo ran at North Carolina. The problem is that it just hasn’t happened consistently.
Wisconsin will have to learn from USC’s game against Michigan. The Wolverines finished with just 32 passing yards but ran for 290 yards and scored 27 points to beat the Trojans. The Badgers will have to get the ground game going in this one while they control the ball and the clock to keep things close.
I’m also not convinced that Locke is a massive downgrade at quarterback for the Badgers. Locke was reportedly in a tight competition with Van Dyke for the starting job throughout much of the offseason, and he also played well during garbage time against Alabama.
Locke came in, finished 13-of-26 passing for 125 yards, and threw for the lone Badger touchdown on the day against Alabama. With extra time to prepare during the bye week, Locke could be ready to seamlessly take over Wisconsin’s offense in this crucial Big Ten matchup.
While I like USC in this one, I believe they may be a bit overvalued, combined with a bit of an overreaction to the Badgers missing Van Dyke on offense. The Badgers keep this one close enough.
The Prediction: USC 31, Wisconsin 23
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