Intro by Doug Kezirian
Early season handicapping typically forces bettors to challenge themselves with separating true indicators from misleading occurrences. Both Wisconsin (-6.5) and Notre Dame might be prime examples of this, ahead of their much-anticipated ranked showdown at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Badgers opened the season with a home loss to Penn State, despite outgaining the Nittany Lions and dominating time of possession by 24 minutes. However, four turnovers and three empty trips inside Penn State's 10-yard line doomed them.
Meanwhile, the undefeated Irish are one late touchdown against Purdue last weekend from being 0-3 ATS, and they also could very well be 1-2 overall. Notre Dame was nearly upset by Toledo as 16.5-point home favorites but rallied for a game-winning touchdown with just over one minute remaining.
"Wiscy is off a bye against a Notre Dame team that hasn't looked great so far but tends to be more suited to cover games in the underdog role," Circa Sports sportsbook director Matt Metcalf told ESPN, sharing that this game has drawn a solid amount of sharp wagers on both sides. "We will most likely need the Badgers to win by seven or more, once it's all said and done."
