Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisconsin v. Oklahoma State Preview
Wisconsin takes on Oklahoma State on December 27th in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Can the Badgers capitalize on the momentum they've built with the hiring of Luke Fickell?
Guaranteed Rate Bowl - Wisconsin v. Oklahoma State
Wisconsin -3, O/U 43
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Date: December 27th, 10:15 PM ET
Key Storylines:
- Both teams will be without their starting QBs, as Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz and Ok. State QB Spencer Sanders have entered the portal
- Oklahoma State lost the last 4 of 5 games to close out the season
- This will be new Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell’s first game as the HC of the badgers
Stats
Wisconsin Offense
- 91st in total offense
- 53rd rushing offense
- 112th passing offense
- 66th in sacks allowed
Oklahoma State Defense
- 116th in total defense
- 96th in rushing defense
- 114th in passing yards allowed
- 78th in sacks
-----------------------------------------------------------
Oklahoma State Offense
- 46th in total offense
- 93rd in rushing offense
- 20th in passing offense
- 71st in sacks allowed
Wisconsin Defense
- 13th in total defense
- 12th in rushing defense
- 29th in passing yards allowed
- 33rd in sacks
Wisconsin’s defense should be stout, even with key players OLB Nick Herbig (11 sacks) and DT Keeanu Benton opting out, they have S John Toricho and LB CJ Goetz to man the defense. Oklahoma State’s offense was based entirely around Spencer Sanders, and with either freshman Garrett Rangel or walk-on Gunnar Gundy starting, the Cowboys offense could be in serious trouble.
→ Other opt outs : CB Jay Shaw, C Joe Tippman
Oklahoma State’s defense has been in shambles all season, and while Wisconsin’s defense is a mess, they still have a monster at RB with Braelon Allen to be the workhorse, assuming he’s fully healthy. Senior QB Chase Wolfe would likely get the nod, and he needs to be safe with the football, and hopefully let the Wisconsin rush game wear on the Cowboys, especially with LB Mason Cobb in the portal.
I think Wisconsin as a program has some excitement to them - Luke Fickell coming in, Braelon Allen staying, and the team playing for Jim Leonard in his last game. I like Wisconsin to cover -3.