Wisconsin’s National Championship Odds Move to +2500 After Beating Michigan

*Odds collected 09/22/19

Wisconsin 3-0 on the Season

Wisconsin’s National Championship odds have moved to +2500 after beating Michigan 35-14 in Week 4.  Their title odds were around +5000 prior to the game. QB Jack Coan and RB Jonathan Taylor have helped the Badgers offense put up at least 35 points in each of its wins.

Wisconsin has a great team, but they are still in tough to make the CFP.  Their biggest challenge is their Big 10 rivals, Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been destroying outmatched opponents en route to a 4-0 start. Quarterback Justin Fields is a legit Heisman candidate after totalling six touchdowns in a single quarter against Miami.

For the "on pace" people: @justnfields is on pace to account for 57 regular season TDs. 😱 pic.twitter.com/8BX59JPKLV

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 22, 2019

The Badgers have looked good this season, but we’ll really see who this team is when they visit Ohio State in late-October. Even if Wisconsin does manage to make the playoff, they are still a tier below top teams such as Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Oklahoma and Georgia.

Jonathan Taylor Dominant on Ground

Running back Jonathan Taylor continues to be excellent for the Badgers. The the 2018 Doak Walker Award winner ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter against Michigan before missing the second quarter due to cramps. Taylor returned in the third quarter to finish with 203 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Jonathan Taylor put on a show in the 1st quarter vs. Michigan:

143 rushing yards and 2 TDs 😤 pic.twitter.com/phIAQbx6Qv

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 21, 2019

Taylor is the leading running back in the Heisman odds and a big reason why Wisconsin is a potential CFP contender. He’s now rushed for at least 100 yards and two touchdowns in each of his first three games. Taylor has also three touchdown receptions this season after failing to record one in 2018.

Taylor is a force, but what’s promising for Wisconsin is they managed without their star RB in the second quarter against Michigan. The Badgers went 15 plays and 80 yards for a score on the first series without Taylor. The Badgers have players that are capable of stepping up if Taylor goes down again.

Michigan’s Title Odds Plummet to +10000

Michigan hasn’t looked very good this season, and their loss against Wisconsin confirms that they aren’t a good bet as a longshot to win the National Championship. The offense is struggling under first-year offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, while Jim Harbaugh has underwhelmed since taking over the coaching position in December of 2014.

It’s really not a hot take but just a fact.

The Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan has been all hype and no substance.

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 21, 2019

Starting QB Shea Patterson was expected to have a  big season for Michigan, but he’s also struggled. Patterson is 50-of-90 for 629 yards and five touchdowns with one interception this season. He was sat in favor of backup QB Dylan McCaffrey late in the first half vs. Wisconsin. The Wolverines elected to go with McCaffrey to begin the second half.

Patterson isn’t on the same level as starting quarterbacks on elite teams such as Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Jake Fromm (Georgia) and Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma). Michigan’s lackluster performance against Wisconsin also shows that this team is nowhere near close to being considered a national contender. They aren’t worth betting on at their new +10000 national championship odds.

Verdict on Wisconsin’s National Championship Odds

Wisconsin has impressed this season, holding South Florida and Central Michigan to no points in the first two weeks before having their way with Michigan in Week 4. Their next four opponents before the big OSU game are Northwestern, Kent State, Michigan State and Illinois.

Taylor and the Badgers have looked strong this season, but I don’t think they’re as good as the Buckeyes. After the two powerhouses Alabama and Clemson in the National Championship odds, LSU and Georgia are two teams I think have better value to win a title.

Wisconsin has a solid team, but Ohio State has been too dominant to make betting the Badgers a good pick.