by Rod Pearson
Sunday, Dec 31, 2023
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Monday, January 1, 2024
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN2
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Wisconsin +10, LSU -10; Over/Under: 57 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Wisconsin +10, LSU -10; Over/Under: 57 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Wisconsin +10, LSU -10; Over/Under: 57.5 points
Season Record
Wisconsin Badgers: 7-5 (5-4) (3rd place, Big Ten West)
LSU Tigers: 9-3 (6-2) (3rd place, SEC West)
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Wisconsin Badgers: won their last game on the road against the Minnesota Golden Gophers 28-14.
LSU Tigers: won their last game at home against the Texas A&M Aggies 42-30.
Wisconsin Badgers vs LSU Tigers Preview and Analysis
Wisconsin is entering this game with a 7-5 record overall and they have a 5-4 record in their conference games too. They are 4-3 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Minnesota 28-14. Tanner Mordecai was the starting QB and he completed 14/22 passes for 145 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Braelon Allen led the team in rushing yards with 165 and 2 TDs. Chimere Dike led the receivers with 46 receiving yards on 2 receptions. Hunter Wohler led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles while Nyzier Fourqurean and Ben Barten each led the defense in sacks with 1. Ricardo Hallman came away with the only interception for them in that game.
LSU is entering this game with a 9-3 record overall and they have a 6-2 record in their conference games too. They are 7-0 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Texas A&M 42-30. Jayden Daniels was the starting QB and he completed 16/24 passes for 235 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing yards with 120. Malik Nabers led the receivers with 122 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 2 TDs. Harold Perkins led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Ovie Oghoufo led the defense in sacks with 2. Greg Penn III came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Wisconsin vs LSU Prediction
The current betting odds have LSU listed as a 10 point favorite in this ReliaQuest Bowl game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. LSU has looked good in their games all season with their 9-3 record overall but their season was a bit of a disappointment as they had much higher hopes. They were still one of the best teams in the SEC this season and they will be looking to end the year strong with a bowl win after their starting QB won the Heisman. Meanwhile, Wisconsin has looked alright in their games with their 7-5 record overall but they really struggled in their own conference as they were one of the favorites to win the Big Ten West but fell short of that. They will also be looking to finish the year strong with a bowl win in this game, but Wisconsin has a big disadvantage here with a lot more key players entering the transfer portal. LSU is also missing some key players, including their Heisman winning QB, but they still have a lot more depth in their team and will be looking to use this game as the start of next year. Wisconsin has too many key players in the transfer portal right now and LSU has the better depth to deal with the opt-outs. The best way to place a bet here is on LSU to cover the spread in this game.
Wisconsin LSU Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Monday, January 1, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is LSU 42 Wisconsin 20.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Wisconsin Badgers LSU Tigers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Wisconsin Badgers: 3-10 ATS after outrushing opponent by 125 or more yards last game. 5-9 ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 4-1 OVER when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 7-3 OVER after allowing 17 points or less in 2 straight games.
LSU Tigers: 7-2 ATS after playing a game where 60 total points or more were scored. 9-2 ATS after scoring 42 points or more last game. 6-1 ATS off a win by 10 points or more over a conference rival. 11-1 OVER in all games. 16-6 OVER off 1 or more straight overs. 8-2 OVER after a game where they committed no turnovers.
Key Injuries
Wisconsin Badgers: J. Acker (RB) Prob Mon - Undisclosed. B. Green (WR) Ques Mon - Undisclosed. M. Cerniglia (TE) out for season - Undisclosed. C. Large (TE) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. G. O'Neill (WR) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. C. Brooks Jr. (WR) Out indefinitely - Foot. T. McIntosh (WR) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. C. Fane (WR) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. J. Pugh (TE) Out indefinitely - Personal. C. Mellusi (RB) out for season - Leg. A. Toombs (TE) out for season - Undisclosed. J. Renfro (OL) Out indefinitely - Foot.
LSU Tigers: J. Daniels (QB) Out Mon - Personal. J. Johnson (CB) Early Jan - Leg. A. Goodwin (RB) Out indefinitely - Knee. Z. Alexander (CB) Out indefinitely - Leg. J. Emery Jr. (RB) out for season - Knee. D. Chestnut (CB) Out indefinitely - Personal. G. Brooks Jr. (S) out for season - Head.
Notable Quotes
“We all know what this program has been built on, right? It doesn’t mean it has to change. Yes, it might look a little bit different, but it’s still about the physicality, it’s still about the line of scrimmage, it’s still about those guys in the backfield.” - Luke Fickell after his team’s win against Minnesota in their last game of the college football regular season.
“First of all, (Texas A&M) is a top-10 defense in the country and I think their defensive line is outstanding. You throw for four touchdown passes against that defense and put up 42 points, it sure as heck can’t hurt you. And obviously running the way he did, I just think he strengthened his case for the Heisman.” - Brian Kelly after his team’s win against Texas A&M in their last game of the college football regular season.
Starting Lineups
Wisconsin Badgers
WR Green, Bryson
WR Anthony II, Vinny
WR Pauling, Will
TE Rucci, Hayden
QB Mordecai, Tanner
RB Acker, Jackson
LSU Tigers
WR Thomas Jr., Brian
WR Nabers, Malik
WR Lacy, Kyren
TE Taylor, Mason
QB Nussmeier, Garrett
RB Diggs, Logan
Statistical Leaders
Wisconsin Badgers
Passing: T. Mordecai (1688)
Rushing: B. Allen (984)
Receiving: W. Pauling (694)
Touchdowns: B. Allen (12)
LSU Tigers
Passing: J. Daniels (3813)
Rushing: J. Daniels (1134)
Receiving: M. Nabers (1546)
Touchdowns: B. Thomas Jr. (15)
Coaches:
Wisconsin Badgers: Luke Fickell (2nd season)
LSU Tigers: Brian Kelly (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
