Here's the spread, odds for the Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State Guaranteed Rate Bowl game, what national writers are saying

Usually, a Tuesday night last week of December bowl game at 9:15 central time would not exactly qualify as must-see TV for even the most passionate Wisconsin football fans.

But all that changed when Wisconsin hired a new coach late last month.

And now the Guaranteed Rate Bowl isn't just another postseason football game.

Wisconsin (6-6) vs. Oklahoma State (7-5) has become the Late Night with Luke Fickell Show.

Luke Fickell will be coaching the bowl game in some capacity Tuesday.
Luke Fickell will be coaching the bowl game in some capacity Tuesday.

Here's a rundown of predictions and odds for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

USA TODAY

All six college football writers pick Wisconsin.

ESPN

ESPN wrote: New Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell will be involved with the Badgers in some way for the game, but the team is still dealing with coaching transition, and the transfer portal departure of three-year starting quarterback Graham Mertz. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders' status also is worth watching (he won't play in the game as he has entered the transfer portal), and the Pokes lost leading tackler Mason Cobb to the portal. There's not much to love about this matchup, but someone has to win and I'll go with coach Mike Gundy's crew.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 23, Wisconsin 17

Caesars Sportsbook

Wisconsin is a 3.5-point favorite. The over/under is 43

FanSided

Reid Wallach wrote:

Even with a low total in a bowl game, it’s tough not to look at the under between these two teams that have little to play for. For starters, Oklahoma State’s offense struggled without Spencer Sanders and the Wisconsin defense has remained stout throughout the season. The Badgers’ defensive line is sixth in yards per play allowed, 13th in line yards and 23rd in tackles for loss.

With the Pokes likely turning to Gunnar Gundy, son of head coach Mike, the Cowboys will struggle to move the ball against this Badgers defense.

On the other side, the Cowboys defense is solid across the board and they should be able to contain a Wisconsin team that is starting backup quarterback Chase Wolf. With Wolf under center, expect an already poor Badgers passing game to struggle, so Oklahoma State can load up to contain stud running back Braelon Allen, who had 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

The Pokes have a havoc-minded defensive line, top 20 in tackles for loss and top 50 in line yards, and can focus on shutting down Allen and the Badgers’ ground game.

This total has dropped, but I expect a rock fight in this bowl game. I can only lean towards the under with a mass exodus from both teams and questions of motivation after Wisconsin made an outside hire.

DraftKings

It lists the Badgers as 3-point favorites, over/under at 43.

BetMGM

The Badgers are 3-point favorites, over/under at 43.

More:Badgers football players and recruits departing during coaching changes

More:John Torchio, an unknown when he arrived, leaves Wisconsin as a decorated starter

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl odds, spread