SportsLine's model simulated the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl 2021 featuring Arizona State vs. Wisconsin 10,000 times
Allegiant Stadium hosts a fight between power convention events on Thursday at the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl. The Wisconsin Badgers take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in a clash between the Big Ten and the Pac-12 in the final bowl game of the day. Wisconsin finished 6–3 in Big Ten play and 8–4 on aggregate this season. Arizona State was also 8-4 with a 6-3 record against Pac-12 opponents.
Kickoff is at 10:30. ET. The latest Wisconsin vs. Arizona state odds from Caesars Sportsbook lists the Badgers as the seven-point favorite. The over-under for total points is set at 42. Before locking in any Arizona State vs. Wisconsin picks or Las Vegas Bowl 2021 predictions, you need to see what SportsLine's advanced computer models have to say.
The SportsLine projection model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, proprietary computer models have generated an astonishing profit of nearly $3,600 for $100 players on their top-rated college football picks against the spread. It entered the all-top-rated college football side with a 43–30 run in the third week of the 2021–22 College Football Bowl season. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on the state of Wisconsin versus Arizona and has locked in its Las Vegas Bowl 2021 picks and predictions. You can now head over to Sportsline to see the model picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines for Arizona State vs. Wisconsin:
Why Wisconsin can cover
Badgers have great offensive weapons, but Wisconsin's success has been based on an elite defense. Wisconsin is allowing only 240.8 total yards per game this season, leading the Big Ten in both the passing defense (175.6 yards allowed per game) and the rushing defense (65.2 yards allowed per game). Wisconsin allowed only nine touchdown passes in the regular season, the fewest in the Big Ten, with the second-most interceptions (15) and fourth-most sacks (32) in the conference. Badgers also allow a completion rate of only 55.7 percent, and opponents average only 6.4 yards per attempt against Wisconsin.
On the ground, the Wisconsin only held an opposition of 2.1 yards per carry, much better than any other Big Ten team, and the Badgers only delivered nine rushing touchdowns throughout the season. In addition, Wisconsin allowed only 16.4 points per game, number 2 in the Big Ten, with five players producing at least three sacks and three players generating at least 50 total tackles.
Why Arizona State can cover
Arizona State has an intriguing mix of offense and defense that drives the team's success. The Sun Devils enjoyed success in some key areas of the offense, producing 5.3 yards per carry with 33 rushing touchdowns this season. Arizona State averaged 29.7 points per game, the top-five in the Pac-12, while leading the conference in completion percentage (66.8 percent) and yards per pass effort (8.1). Arizona State threw only nine interceptions and allowed only 21 sacks through 12 games, and the Sun Devils were strongly above-average in the conversion rate, down third at 43.8 percent.
On defense, Arizona State also excelled, ranking No. 2 in the Pac-12 in total defense and passing defense and scoring the defense with the top four points in defense. Opponents scored only 6.5 yards per pass attempt and 3.6 yards per rush attempt against Arizona State, with the Sun Devils producing more interceptions (15) than touchdowns allowed (12).