THEY were one of the chic picks to win it all just four weeks ago. Before USC, LSU, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida began throttling opponents, there was big talk involving the Wisconsin Badgers.
With good reason. Bret Bielema’s crew went 11-1 last year, and with the rest of the Big Ten on the mend, it seemed there was a more-than-attractive window of opportunity in Madison.
Things started well enough on Labor Day weekend, as the Badgers hammered Washington State, 42-21. But lackluster efforts against UNLV and The Citadel followed. Wisconsin won those two by just 21 points combined, and all of a sudden, no one was talking about the Cardinal and White.
But not to worry. The Badgers (3-0) wouldn’t be ranked No. 7 if they weren’t in the thick of it. And just so the nation believes that once and for all, Wisconsin will go for the kill Saturday on prime time at home against Iowa (2-1).
“I think our kids thrive at the night-game experience, especially in Camp Randall [Stadium],” Bielema said. “Obviously, we had one night game already this year, and it wasn’t our best, but my guess is with the atmosphere of Camp Randall on Saturday night, it’s going to be special.”
Bielema was referring to a ho-hum, 20-13 victory over UNLV Sept. 8. But, hey, that was Vegas, right? Strange things happen to visitors in Vegas, don’t they? Just ask O.J.
This week, the Badgers are back in safe environs. And they have that killer statistic of having won 19 of their last 20 night games in their back pocket. Throw in the BCS factor – win games by as much as possible. Throw in the national viewers and voters, for that matter.
And, lest we forget, throw in the fact that rebuilding Iowa lost to even-more-rebuilding Iowa State last week, and you’ve got the makings of a rout.
Wisconsin (-71/2) is the pick.
TONIGHT
Texas A&M (+21/2) over MIAMI: Big stage, big chance for Randy Shannon, but we tend to favor teams that rush for 296.3 yards per game.
TOMORROW
Oklahoma (-23) over TULSA: Sooners take advantage of a prime-time audience, hammer a state rival and keep the pressure on those six letters ahead of them: USC and LSU.
SATURDAY
W. VIRGINIA (-241/2) over East Carolina: Triple trouble for the Pirates who play tough but won’t catch Steve Slaton, Noel Devine or Pat White.
N.C. STATE (+7) over Clemson: Tom O’Brien defeated the Tigers two years in a row at BC. Different players now, sure, but the value cannot be ignored.
Florida (-23) over OLE MISS: Gators shake the Tennessee hangover by the half and get back into run-it-up mode.
BOSTON COLLEGE (-271/2) over Army: Eagles are letdown eligible, but new coach Jeff Jagodzinski has shown the desire to step on the gas.
Georgia (+31/2) over ALABAMA: Georgia’s Mark Richt never has lost a road night game. Nick Saban’s bandwagon slows down just a tad.
OHIO ST. (-221/2) over Northwestern: A possible Buckeye letdown takes a backseat to the fact the Wildcats lost to Duke.
Penn State (-3) over MICHIGAN: Anthony Morelli wins a big game on the road . . . finally. Joe Paterno spreads out that Lions offense and shows the Wolverines they’re not playing the straight-ahead Irish anymore.
NOTRE DAME (+121/2) over Michigan State: Speaking of the Irish, there isn’t a team that is more due. Charlie Weis’ “back to training camp” mode will result in his first cover. That, and Michigan State just isn’t that good.
LSU (-161/2) over South Carolina: LSU is that good. The Tigers have allowed seven points in three games. Steve Spurrier’s crew may equal that total, but probably won’t surpass it.
CAL (-16) over Arizona: Revenge in conference cannot be ignored. The Bears are banged up, but they must return the favor for a 24-20 upset last year.
ARKANSAS (-61/2) over Kentucky: Razorbacks should have won last week in Tuscaloosa. This is a great bounce-back spot here against a hungover squad.
USC (-241/2) over Washington State: One eye on the scoreboard, another on the ranking. The No. 1 Trojans can’t afford many early-season close calls.
OFF THE GRID
IDAHO (-3) over Northern Illinois: A news flash for many of you, we’re sure, but the 1-2 Vandals come with plenty of value. They covered at both USC and Washington State. Now, they get an 0-3 MAC team at home.
Last week: 6-8-1 overall, 1-1-1 Best Bets, 1-0 Off The Grid.Season: 24-20-1, 4-4-1, 3-0.
tsullivan@nypost.com