We wonder what’s going through the mind of Wisconsin defensive coordinator Chris Ash this week after seeing his charges (Ash also coaches the team’s defensive backs) give up back-to-back Hail Mary completions for game-winning TD’s – a 40-yarder by Ohio State and a 55-yard bomb to Michigan State.As a result, the Badgers have dropped two straight Big Ten games and plummeted from No. 6 in the BCS rankings down to No. 20.
However, we don’t look for lightning to strike for a third time against shell- shocked Wisconsin here: Bret Bielema’s Badgers have pocketed the cash in the last five series get-togethers with Purdue and they also own a solid 4-0 ATS mark as conference chalk of 17 or more points.
However, we can’t let such good numbers blind us to the fact that ‘Bubble Bursters’ riding a two-game losing skid are usually bad ATS propositions.
The Boilermakers got derailed at Michigan last week, jumping out to a 7-0 lead before failing to dent the scoreboard again until just 15 seconds remained in the 36- 14 setback.
Purdue got whipped ‘In The Stats’ as well, gaining 311 yards compared to the Wolverines’ 535-yard explosion – and things won’t get easier against this pissed-off bunch of Badgers.
The Boilers need two wins in their final four games to garner their first bowl invitation under head coach Danny Hope but this won’t be one of them.
Still, we think we’ll let Wisky get healthy on its own before jumping back on the Badgers… especially with UW laying almost four touchdowns today. Pass.
