Bowl season for the Big Ten is finally here! The first bowl game on the slate for our fine little league is a power five showdown with two teams that did not have their 2022 season go remotely close to what the expected…let’s take a look at the Wisconsin Badgers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
How did Wisconsin get here?
Treading water in the Big Ten. Their 4-5 league mark was nothing spectacular but those four wins were huge as they were paired with a 2-1 non conference mark. If UW had faltered just one additional time in league play, they would have had their 87 year bowl streak snapped. Okay, it might not be that long.
How did Oklahoma State get here?
Starting the year 5-0. Injuries decimated this team resulting a 2-5 limp to the finish but with such a hot start a bowl was basically all but guaranteed.
Why should we watch?
Braelon Allen versus the terrible OSU defense. UW’s offense was their biggest weakness and with so many injuries to their defense, OSU’s weakness is their defense. Despite tons and tons of transfers impacting this game, sophomore running back Braelon Allen will get to feast (potentially) on this OSU defense. I’m also curious to see how this team rallies for Jimmy Leonhard’s final game as coach and with the new boss Luke Fickell on hand watching. As for OSU, Mike Gundy has been in about a million bowls, he’s seen and done nearly everything there is to in this sport, he’ll have what’s left of his team prepared for it.
Who should win…and should you bet?
Wisconsin has more talent still around. Yes both teams were hit hard by the talent portal but OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders was much more dangerous than UW’s quarterback Graham Mertz transferring. Factor in the mid-season injuries the Cowboys have been dealing with and you have a fairly attractive position for UW, despite their own portal losses. So, should you bet the game? I’m not, personally. I have seen enough of Wisconsin to know….don’t trust them! They are 4.5 point favorites but I could see them winning by 21, losing by 21 and everything else in between. There are better bowls to bet on this season.
How to watch?
- Date: Tuesday, December 27th
- Time: 9:15 pm, central
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
Random Tidbit:
Despite having zero weeks ranked number one in the AP poll, Oklahoma State has a claimed national title (1945). They also have an unclaimed title from 2011. On the flip side, UW has just one lone week being ranked number one in the AP poll but has no claimed national titles. For what its worth, UW has an unclaimed title from 1942.
Big Ten and Counting 