COTTON BOWL PREVIEW – WESTERN MICHIGAN vs WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN 7.5 W MICHIGAN (53.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Wisconsin -10 Sagarin ratings – Wisconsin -6
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Wisconsin 30.5 W Michigan 23
The Game
Here we go ! Undefeated JUGGERNAUT Western Michigan will try and finish off an amazing undefeated season over Big 10 force Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd. The Broncos ROWED THE BOAT and dominated the MAC all season long. 13-0 is fantastic regardless of what conference you may call home. Wisconsin played a really tough schedule and fell short in the Big 10 Title game vs Penn St in a 2904759037498374 STAR MEGALOCKS loser.
The Match-Up
Wisconsin offense vs W Michigan defense
Will the Badgers be able to execute their offense ? It seems to us that the answer is “yes”. W Michigan gave up over 200 yards rushing on FIVE different occasions playing the #121 ranked schedule according to Sagarin. The Badgers were #1 in the FBS in time of possession and will be pounding the run game all night long, yo. RB Corey Clement had over 1,300 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. Back-ups D Ogunbowale and EMERGING JUGGERNAUT Bradrick Shaw will keep the run game fresh. WR Jazz Peavy led the team in receiving yards and also became a dangerous weapon in the running game. TE T Fumagalli demands attention yet always seems to be open. The Badgers will have two QBs with different styles for the Broncos to prepare for in A Hornibrook and Bart “Matt” Houston. They combined for 13 TDs and 10 INTs. If the Broncos can somehow force the Badgers to MATRICULATE in the passing game it might get interesting in the fourth quarter.
W Michigan offense vs Wisconsin defense
Western Michigan tore up the MAC this season and finished #7 in offense in the FBS. RBs J Bogan and J Franklin combined for over 2,100 yards rushing and 20 TDs on the ground. We cannot forget future NFL draftee WR Corey Davis who had 1,427 yards receiving this season and became the first player to have 300 career receptions, 5000 yards and 30 TDs. Wisconsin is going to have their hands full.
The good news for Wisconsin fans is that the WACKY Ohio Bobcats were able to hold the Broncos in check and force QB Z Terrell into uncharacteristic mistakes. Terrell had an amazing 32 TD to 3 INT ratio (!) but threw 2 INTs in the MAC Title game when facing an Ohio defense that could bring some pressure.
Wisconsin finished up the season #7 in total defense despite playing the #10 schedule according to the Sagarin ratings. They were excellent on third downs and in the red zone. The last image we have of the Badgers is getting LIT UP by the Penn St passing game in the 2nd half of the Big 10 Title game. That gives us some value in the line. We do not think that Terrell or the Broncos can hit the deep ball as consistently as Penn St.
Motivation / Intangibles
Wisconsin – There is no doubt that this is a bigger game for Western Michigan. On the flipside, the Badgers are off a loss and scrappy enough to trust in any game. They are pretty much a guarantee to not come out flat. Well, at least as close as it gets. They have never won the Cotton Bowl and have a shot to knock off an undefeated team. GRADE – Average.
W Michigan – Not much to say here that is not obvious. This would be the biggest win in program history and the biggest win in the history of MAC football. GRADE – Excellent.
MEGA BOWL BITES
W Michigan HC PJ Fleck is 1-1 in bowl games including a win last year over MTSU in the Bahamas Bowl….Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst is 2-2 in bowl games and 1-0 with the Badgers after last season’s exciting win over USC in the Holiday Bowl…..Both teams have been money-makers in recent history as the Broncos are 27-11 ATS L38 whilst the Badgers are 11-3-1 ATS L15.
Summary
Wisconsin is going to rush for more yards. They have the better defense. They get to play a relatively immobile QB compared to the emerging STAR at Penn St. Sure, the Badgers seem boring, but give them 60 minutes, and we see a double-digit win.
Don’t get us wrong, we cheered for Rocky, Villanova and even Rudy (even though he played for Notre Dame). We just have to roll with the Badgers.
Official play: Wisconsin -7.5 -106
Best play on the game: See above
Underdog ML playable for small potatoes (Y,N) ?: NO