Wisconsin and Wake Forest were teams that had high hopes in early November. Wisconsin had demolished Illinois and, after a three-week hiatus due to COVID-19, had routed Michigan and had emerged as the top Big Ten contender not named Ohio State. However, Wisconsin then dropped three in a row and needed a win in their regular season finale to limp to a 3-3 finish. Wake Forest was 4-2 and held a 21-point lead over North Carolina, before the Tar Heels flipped the script midway through the third period and won the game. Then came two weeks of postponements due to COVID-19, followed by a loss to Louisville. So both of these programs are left with the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where they will meet for the first time, even though both of these football programs date back into the late nineteenth century.
Which side will win? Check out our college football betting prediction.
NCAAF: Duke’s Mayo Bowl (December 30)
Wake Forest vs Wisconsin
When: Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 12:00 pm ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAF Odds: Wisconsin -7
Why should you bet on the Demon Deacons?
Tailbacks Christian Beal-Smith and Kenneth Walker III made Wake Forest a fearsome running machine, combining for over 1,200 yards and 17 scores in eight games. However, Walker, who scored 13 of those touchdowns, opted out before the Louisville game, leaving Beal-Smith and Justice Ellison to carry the load. Quarterback Sam Hartman had just one interception on the season, although he struggled against Louisville, only completing 41 percent of his passes. However, Jaquarii Roberson shone in that game, catching nine passes for 138 yards and a score. Donavon Green will be back at receiver after missing the Louisville game due to injury.
Wake Forest got a strong season out of defensive end Carlos Basham Jr, but he has opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl ahead of the NFL draft. Senior linebacker Ja’Cquez Williams leads the Demon Deacons in tackling, while freshman safety Nick Anderson had three interceptions — all in the same game — and is second on the team in tackling. However, the team struggled against the run and the pass, so there should be room for Wisconsin to operate.
Why should you put your money on the Badgers?
Wisconsin’s defense, long considered one of the best in the nation, continued that trend in 2020. In the regular season, they permitted fewer than 16 points per game. The 338 yards and 28 points that Iowa posted against them was the most that Wisconsin permitted in either category. Cornerback Rachad Wildgoose has opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, but he only appeared in two games this year and had shoulder issues plaguing him. Linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn key the defense, each with 41 tackles.
Freshman quarterback Graham Mertz was seen as the salvation of the Badger offense, which has long had a reputation for strong running attacks but hamfisted play from the signal-caller. Mertz had seven touchdown passes without a pick in those wins over Illinois and Michigan, but since then, he has just one touchdown pass against five interceptions, so clearly he has to work his way through a learning curve. Jalen Berger leads the team in rushing — but with just 267 yards and one touchdown through those six games, so the running game could be carrying more of the load. The wide receivers, Jake Ferguson and Jack Dunn, are not seen as dangerous speed or possession receivers.
Final Score and Prediction
Both squads are looking to build momentum heading into 2021. However, Wisconsin’s defense should have what it takes to slow down Wake Forest, and the grinding offense should be able to dictate the rhythm of the game. I predict a final score of Wisconsin 23, Wake Forest 10.
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