Michigan State at Wisconsin: Three Best Bets

Week One: 3-1

Week Two: 2-1

Week Three: 1-2

Week Four: 0-1 (2 voids)

Overall: 6-5

Last week, I came up limping with an 0-1 record as my heavy lean toward the running backs for both teams was cut short by injuries.

Michigan State’s Cam Edwards was well on his way to getting the 16 carries I was looking for after receiving four carries on the Spartans’ opening drive. However, a reception resulted in a hit to his knee that ended not only his day but his season. That bet was ultimately voided.

I was also leaning on Nebraska running back Jamal Rule, looking for 70 or more rushing yards from one of the most electric freshman running backs in college football. Rule had four carries through his first eight snaps and appeared to be on pace to get the workload needed to reach 70 yards before he was also injured and forced to leave the game. That bet was also voided.

The lone bet involving a player who stayed healthy was Jayden Savoury to finish with three receptions.

Savoury appeared to have three catches in the eyes of every Spartans fan, but the Big Ten replay center ruled one of his receptions — and arguably the biggest catch of the game — incomplete after the ball shifted slightly as he made contact with the ground. That left Savoury with just two receptions.

So, after two straight losing weeks, it's time to get back on track.

Michigan State heads to Madison looking to bounce back, while Wisconsin enters the matchup riding a three-game winning streak, including last week's comeback victory over Penn State.

Here are my three favorite bets for Michigan State at Wisconsin.

I truly hope I'm absolutely wrong with this one.

I hope the Spartans head to Madison hungry and ready to prove every naysayer wrong. Unfortunately, I believe Wisconsin has a very good team this season.

The Badgers are 3-1 entering this matchup, with their lone loss coming against Notre Dame. They just went into Happy Valley and rallied past Penn State, showing they can handle adversity against a quality opponent.

Michigan State, meanwhile, is dealing with a growing list of injuries, including the loss of Edwards for the season.

Even if the Spartans manage to hang around, this bet gives us some breathing room. All we need is for Wisconsin to win by a field goal.

Michigan State is going to have to throw the ball effectively.

Without Edwards in the backfield, defenses may be less inclined to stack the box, potentially giving quarterback Alessio Milivojevic a little more time to operate.

When Milivojevic has time, he has shown the ability to make plays through the air, and Savoury has emerged as one of his favorite targets.

Sure, Savoury's two receptions last week fell short of what I needed, but I'm more than willing to go right back to the well.

Savoury has recorded at least 20 receiving yards in every game this season and enters Saturday with 153 receiving yards on 13 catches through four games.

In a game where Michigan State could find itself throwing early and often, I like Savoury's chances of keeping that streak alive.

My final favorite bet is on Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph to reach 20 rushing yards.

Joseph has recorded at least 30 rushing yards in each of his last three games and enters the matchup with 121 rushing yards on 38 attempts this season.

Michigan State's defense has struggled to consistently get home with pressure, which gives me less concern about Joseph losing significant rushing yardage through sacks.

I also don't expect Wisconsin to feel the need to force the ball downfield if it can consistently move the chains on the ground.

Joseph has already shown he can contribute with his legs, and 20 rushing yards feels like a manageable number.

Parlay all three of these bets together and you get a +140 parlay, turning a $50 wager into $120.

Want to get a little crazier?

Bump the bets to:

That creates a +350 parlay, turning a $50 wager into $225.

As always, gamble responsibly.