The Maryland Terrapins take on the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wis. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on NBC.
Wisconsin is favored by 10 points on the spread with a moneyline of -360. The total is set at 44 points.
Here’s my Maryland vs. Wisconsin prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 20.
Maryland vs Wisconsin Prediction
- Maryland vs. Wisconsin Pick: Wisconsin -10 or Better
My Wisconsin vs. Maryland best bet is on the Badgers. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Maryland vs Wisconsin Odds
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10 -110 | 44 -110o / -110u | +280 |
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10 -110 | 44 -110o / -110u | -360 |
- Maryland vs Wisconsin point spread: Wisconsin -10 (-110), Maryland +10 (-110)
- Maryland vs Wisconsin over/under: 44 (-110o / -110u)
- Maryland vs Wisconsin moneyline: Maryland +280, Wisconsin -360
Maryland vs Wisconsin Pick, Betting Analysis
I'm assuming Billy Edwards returns at quarterback on Saturday for the narrative revenge game against his former team. That's certainly not a guarantee, but I'm hearing positive progress reports.
I might buy out of some of my Wisconsin positions if Edwards can't go on Saturday. That said, his familiarity with Maryland's defense can help with prep regardless of whether he plays.
The offensive line is also in much better shape after getting left tackle Davis Heinzen out of the lineup in addition to seeing the return of senior center Jake Renfro last week.
I'm not only looking to buy the dip on Wisconsin after it got waxed (as expected) with a backup quarterback in Tuscaloosa, but I'm also itching to fade a Maryland team that hasn't played a soul to date.
The Terps' strength of schedule ranks outside of the top 200 nationally, with three home games against NIU, FAU, and Towson, with the two contests against FBS opponents being closer than the final score indicates. A +6 turnover margin against the Owls certainly helped.
This will also mark the first road start for true freshman quarterback Malik Washington.
He's played well so far against subpar competition, but we've seen countless inexperienced quarterbacks struggle in this spot already this season. This will serve as a significantly stiffer test and environment, especially considering he won't have any help from a non-existent rushing attack that ranks 129th nationally in EPA per Rush (just 3.5 yards per carry) despite facing a hilariously easy schedule of opponents.
I expect plenty of third-and-longs against one of the most improved pass rushes in the country. That spells trouble for an offense that has converted less than a third of its third-down attempts (111th nationally) against a bunch of lower-level competition, especially considering Washington's numbers have dropped precipitously under pressure (6-for-18 passing), and the offensive line will still be a significant deficiency during league play.
I project the Badgers as 12-point favorites.
Pick: Wisconsin -10 or Better
