Situational signs point to taking favored Iowa against Wisconsin

A week ago, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema had his team pumped up to knock off then-No. 1 Ohio State.

The atmosphere was indeed electric at Camp Randall Stadium as a national TV audience was tuned in and the Badgers fed off the energy to upset the Buckeyes, 31-18.

Fans stormed the field. Students tried to take down the goal posts. It was a landmark victory of sorts for the Wisconsin program.

"I know this isn't a bowl game or the national championship game, but I just started crying, man -- to just be in a situation like that where nobody expects you to win," Badgers safety Aaron Henry said in the euphoric aftermath. "Nobody really expected us to go out there and win.

"It's an unbelievable feeling. I wish this night could last forever."

Unfortunately for Wisconsin, that feeling does not last forever and it is back to Big Ten business today as the Badgers play at Iowa.

In the Hawkeyes' 20-10 victory last year, they limited Wisconsin's powerful running game to 87 yards on 2.6 yards per carry. Iowa again boasts one of college football's most unyielding front fours led by Adrian Clayborn, a potential first-round NFL Draft choice.

The Hawkeyes, 5-1 straight up and 4-2 against the spread, have an experienced quarterback in Ricky Stanzi, who has won his share of big games.

Wisconsin is coming off one of the biggest victories in school history and playing for the eighth consecutive week. With many situational signs pointing their way, take the Hawkeyes as 6-point favorites.

Six more plays for today (home team in CAPS):

■ Navy (+6½ ) over Notre Dame -- Brian Kelly was supposed to be the savior and might turn out to be once his full signature is stamped on the Notre Dame program. But the Fighting Irish were money-burning favorites under their previous coaches and it's the same under Kelly. Notre Dame is 1-10-2 in its past 13 as a favorite.

■ Georgia Tech (+5½) over CLEMSON -- The Tigers' three victories did not exactly come against college football's royalty (North Texas, Presbyterian and Maryland). Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is 18-5 against the spread in his past 23 as an underdog, including his time at Navy.

■ OHIO STATE (-23½) over Purdue -- Jim Tressel is 12-3 ATS off a straight-up loss at Ohio State. The Buckeyes want revenge after losing 26-18 at Purdue last year as 13½-point favorites. They should shut down the Boilermakers' offense, which because of injuries has been forced to rely heavily on the running of quarterback Rob Henry, who began the season as a backup.

■ Wyoming-BRIGHAM YOUNG (Under 45) -- Not long ago, this game would have shaped up as one of the weekend's potential offensive explosions. Today, however, BYU and Wyoming are among the nation's most pedestrian offenses, with both near the bottom of the heap in scoring and total offense. What in the name of LaVell Edwards is going on here?

■ SOUTHERN METHODIST (-8) over Houston -- Houston has lost its top two quarterbacks, including Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum, to season-ending injuries, putting the offense in the hands of David Piland. SMU quarterback Kyle Padron and Piland prepped at national powerhouse Southlake Carroll (Texas), but the comparisons end there, at least for the time being.

■ COLORADO (+2½) over Texas Tech -- Boulder has been an unkind destination for the Red Raiders, who have not won in four previous trips. Texas Tech has been hit by the injury bug on defense and has yet to hit its stride under first-year coach Tommy Tuberville.

Last week: 3-3-1 against the spread

Season: 22-23-2

Texas-based handicapper Paul Stone of Vegassportsauthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.