The Badger Herald Sports section’s weekly double feature is highlighting all of the weekend’s biggest games outside of Madison each Saturday.
For any fellow college football junkies out there, feel free to chime in via Twitter with any questions, comments or requests to @BHeraldSports for the column going forward.
Football: No. 8 Wisconsin isn’t through the gauntlet quite yet
No. 11 Wisconsin (6-2) at Northwestern (4-4)
Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
TV: ABC (Channel 607 on Residence Hall Cable) / WatchESPN
Line: Wisconsin (-7.0)
Already having defeated the University of Wisconsin football team in back-to-back seasons, Northwestern University has been turning it on lately after a horrendous start. The Wildcats keep things close, and they are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games. Despite being 6.5 and 10.5-point underdogs to the University of Iowa and Michigan State University respectively, NU still managed to defeated both opponents by at least one touchdown. Though the Badgers are the better team, their struggles against Northwestern and lack of offensive explosion leaves the Wildcats with a good chance to at least cover the seven-point spread.
Geistlinger: Wisconsin 24, Northwestern 19
Hayes: Wisconsin 30, Northwestern 24
Football: Wisconsin receives No. 8 in first College Football Playoff rankings
No. 1 Alabama (8-0) at No. 13 LSU (6-2)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
TV: CBS (Channel 603 on Residence Hall Cable)
Line: Alabama (-7.5)
Boasting a five-game win streak over Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama has successfully spoiled most of the glory behind what used to be a unpredictable heavy-weight showdown between SEC West giants. But with LSU star running back Leonard Fournette posting Heisman-type numbers in the past few games, the vaunted Alabama defense may face their toughest test of the season. It’s hard to beat LSU at home, and with a freshman quarterback in Bama’s Jalen Hurts, look for the Tigers to capitalize on potential mistakes by the Crimson Tide office. Alabama is the best team in the country, but come Saturday night in Baton Rouge, that won’t mean anything to the more 100,000 fans packed into “Death Valley.” But after they covered a 19-point spread in their last game against then-No. 6 Texas A&M University, it’s tough to bet against the Tide.
Geistlinger: Alabama 34, LSU 21
Hayes: Alabama 27, LSU 21
No. 10 Nebraska (7-1) at No. 6 Ohio State (7-1)
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
TV: ABC (Channel 607 on Residence Hall Cable) / WatchESPN
Line: Ohio State (-17.0)
Despite suffering their first loss of the season to then-No. 11 Wisconsin in Madison last week in a 23-17 overtime thriller, the University of Nebraska performed well against a team that many expected would expose them. Unfortunately for the Cornhuskers, this weekend isn’t getting any easier. For No. 6 Ohio State University, a statement win over a top 10 team like Nebraska is the perfect remedy for consecutive, less-than-stellar performances. The Buckeyes are for real, but their loss to then-unranked Penn State University on Oct. 22 along with four-point finish over Northwestern last week haven’t given the CFP selection committee anything to dwell on lately. Expect OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes to run away with this one if they get the chance.
Geistlinger: Ohio State 31, Nebraska 17
Hayes: Ohio State 42, Nebraska 20
Football: Nebraska game ranks 7th on most watched game on ESPN this year
No. 5 Washington (8-0) at California (4-4)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
TV: ESPN (Channel 660 on Residence Hall Cable)
Line: Washington (-17.0)
Last week in this column, I admitted that I had never watched University of Washington, yet I picked them to cover. In another game I did not watch, Washington vs. University of Utah, they failed to do so. So, this week I have little choice but to pick against them. This Saturday, Washington takes on the Golden Bears of University of California in a game with a staggering 78-point Over-Under. Cal’s coaching staff seems to have made the bold decision not to teach their players how to play defense this season, allowing 41.8 points per game. They also score 41.3 points per game, however, on the offensive side of the ball. At the very least, Cal should keep this one respectable playing under the national spotlight on ESPN Saturday night.
Geistlinger: Washington 53, California 38
Hayes: Washington 45, California 21
Hayes & Geistlinger’s Upset Alert: Iowa at No. 12 Penn State
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
TV: BTN (Channel 664 on Residence Hall Cable)
Line: Penn State (-7.0)
Penn State received quite the favorable ranking in Tuesday night’s first College Football Playoff poll, jumping from AP No. 20 to CFP No. 12. The Nittany Lions have been on a tear lately, winning four in a row outright and three in a row against the spread, including their win over previously undefeated and then No. 5 Ohio State. Meanwhile, the University of Iowa is struggling 3-2 in the Big Ten despite their preseason title expectations. This game, however, seems ripe for an upset. Iowa’s three loses have been by a combined 17 points, and they are desperate for a win to stay in the hunt for the West division. Look for them to stay alive and pull it off in a close one on the road in Happy Vally Saturday night.
Geistlinger: Iowa 17, Penn State 16
Hayes: Penn State 34, Iowa 24
