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Betting on the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl

The Wisconsin Badgers missed a trip to the playoffs after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game, but they might save face if they beat the 10th ranked Miami Hurricanes in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

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Orange Bowl 2017: Wisconsin Badgers vs Miami Hurricanes

When: December 30, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Where: Hard Rock Stadium
Spread: Wisconsin -6.5
Total: 45.5
Moneyline: Wisconsin -250 vs Miami +210

Betting on the Wisconsin Badgers

Had the Badgers’ only loss of the season happened early on in the season, they probably would have found themselves in the playoff with a 12-1 record.

But, they’ll just have to settle on taking it out on the Hurricanes who themselves stumbled at the end of the season with losses in their two last games.

Even if the Orange Bowl is not the game the Badgers were expecting, it’s no reason for them to rest on their laurels as they get ready to face the Canes. Wisconsin is 3-0 SU and 2-0-1 ATS in their last three bowl games while averaging 425.7 yards and 27 points per game.

Wisconsin played their worst game of the season in the Big Ten championship game, allowing the Buckeyes to rack up 449 yards on offense while struggling to get going on offense.

Even running back Jonathan Taylor seemed like a greenhorn and was kept to just 41 yards in 15 carries. It’s clear the Badgers need to get their running game back on track if they’re to win this game.

The Buckeyes defense simply stopped the Badgers running game and forced them to beat them through the air.

This strategy paid off and kept the Badgers to 60 yards on 32 carries.

And, the Badgers will have to sort out their offensive problems fast if they’re to beat one of the best defensive fronts in college football, that of the Hurricanes.

If Taylor can’t get going, it’ll be up to quarterback Alex Hornibrook which doesn’t bode well for the Badgers.

The Hurricanes will likely stick to the same strategy they followed in the 2016 Orange Bowl, so the Badgers will need to get the ground game going fast and stick to it to wear down Miami’s defense out.

This should allow Hornibrook some leeway in order to stay away from silly mistakes.

Betting on the Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes could have also made the Playoff, but unlike the Badgers, they were the 2nd ranked team in the country prior to losing to the Panthers in the last game of the regular season and then to Clemson in the ACC Championship game.

Also, unlike the Badgers, the Hurricanes folded against Clemson and wound up with a 38-3 loss. It was the second game in a row that the Cane’s offense sputtered, tallying less than 250 yards and 14 points.

In all likelihood, this game will be decided by whichever defense plays better as both programs have held opponents to under 20 points per game this season.

Each team’s strategy is different; Wisconsin grinds opponents down with a technical and sound defense while Miami is all about the big plays.

Miami will try to snap their losing streak against a Wisconsin team that’s weak after their first real challenge of the year. However, the Hurricanes might have a hard time against the Badgers stern defense which is ranked 3rd in the country and that allows just 13.2 points per game.

The Hurricanes defense isn’t as solid as that of the Badgers, but it does hold its own and held opponents to 19.9 points per game, which was 20th in the country.

If they can manage to stop the Badgers running game, they should be able to pressure Hornibrook and force him into committing mistakes.

The fact the Hurricanes are playing in front of their home crowd should also boost Miami’s motivation to win the game.

Buckeyes vs Hurricanes Betting Trends

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Miami's last 10 games.
  • Miami is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games in December.
  • Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games against the Big Ten.
  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami’s last 8 games in bowl season.
  • Wisconsin is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games after a loss
  • Wisconsin is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
  • Underdogs are 8-2 SU and ATS in the last 10 Orange Bowls.

Expert Pick: The Badgers are the 6.5-point favorites to win the game. Wisconsin is also 8-5 ATS this season which will make them the public betting favorite. However, being that the Hurricanes are playing at home I believe they’ll have the edge so I’m taking Miami at +6.5.