Free College Football Picks Today: Northwestern Wildcats vs Wisconsin Badgers 10/8/22

The Northwestern University Wildcats (1-4, 1-1 Big 10) will be hoping to halt their losing streak when they welcome the University of Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2 Big 10) at Ryan Field on Saturday. The Badgers are 10-point favorites, and the total is 44. Wisconsin is coming off a deflating 34-10 loss at the hands of Illinois at Camp Randall Stadium last Saturday. Graham Mertz threw for 206 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Chez Mellusi ran seven times for 16 yards. Chimere Dike caught five passes for 76 yards. Northwestern dropped a fourth straight game last Saturday, falling 17-7 to No. 11 Penn State at Beaver Stadium. Ryan Hilinski was 15 of 37 for 210 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Evan Hull carried 11 times for 45 yards and added three catches for 32 yards. Donny Navarro III had four receptions for 55 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Badgers won the only game between the teams last season, a 35-7 victory in November. Graham Mertz threw two touchdowns for Wisconsin, as Braelon Allen added three TDs.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Badgers are averaging 29.8 points per game for the season, 72nd in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 24.8 PPG (65th). Meanwhile, Northwestern has scored 19.8 points a game this season, 114th in the nation, and Wisconsin is allowing 22.0 PPG (46th). The Badgers rank as one of the Big 10’s worst teams in passing yards per game (218.2, 12th), while they are ninth in rushing yards (169.8). The Wildcats are eighth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (211.6) and second against the run (172.6).Northwestern has been one of the conference’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 119.0 yards per game (12th), while ranking fourth in passing yards (285.8). The Badgers are allowing 191.6 passing yards (7th in the Big 10) and 124.6 rushing yards per game (6th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through five games, Graham Mertz has thrown for eight touchdowns (5 INT) and 199.4 yards per game to lead Wisconsin in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD (1 INT) and 94 yards passing. Braelon Allen leads the team in rushing with an average of 99.8 yards a game over five games. He has six touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Chimere Dike is the Badgers’ leading receiver with 51.4 yards a game and one TD. Ryan Hilinski has six passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 280.8 yards per game through five games to lead Northwestern. In four home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 298.5 yards. Evan Hull has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 83.0 yards a game through five games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, posting 68.6 yards a game through the air. He has four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving. Malik Washington has been a key target in the Wildcats’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 69.4 yard per game average through five appearances.