Tag: betting line

Wisconsin opens as sizable betting favorite over No. 12 seed James Madison in NCAA Tournament round of 64

Thoughts on the opening betting line of Wisconsin vs James Madison?

Wisconsin basketball opens as a 5.5-point betting favorite over No. 12 seed James Madison in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 64.

The Badgers enter the tournament having won three of four during the Big Ten Tournament — a blowout win over a top-70 Maryland team, a comfortable win over Northwestern without point guard Chucky Hepburn, an electrifying upset of Purdue and a narrow loss to Illinois.

Related: Wisconsin Badgers vs. James Madison Dukes: TV channel, betting line, game notes for NCAA Tournament Round of 64

James Madison enters even hotter. The Dukes have won their last 13 games and 16 of 17 dating to mid-January. The team finished No. 59 in KenPom’s ratings, but Badgers fans are still unhappy with the tough draw.

The contest, which tips at 9:40 p.m. Eastern on Friday in Brooklyn, New York, should be a true test of whether Greg Gard’s team is a true contender. A win and Wisconsin looks to be one of the more dangerous teams in the tournament. A loss, and it’s another disappointing postseason for a Gard-coached team.

Related: Where Wisconsin basketball stands in Las Vegas odds to win 2024 NCAA Tournament National Championship

Wisconsin being a 5.5-point favorite is a bit of a surprise, especially if you ask the CBS college basketball panel. James Madison seems to be a popular upset pick among the public.

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=73008,72974,72982,72933]

Wisconsin opens as a heavy betting favorite Week 1 vs Buffalo

Wisconsin will have an easy matchup to open Luke Fickell’s first season as head coach

Betting lines are starting to trickle out for the start of the 2023 college football season. In case you’re stuck in the lull of the offseason with months until games are played, these lines can be good initial market tests for how Vegas views Wisconsin and other Big Ten teams.

Circa Sports tweeted every Week 1 opening line earlier today. The service has the Badgers as 24-point favorites against the visiting Buffalo Bulls with an over/under of 54.5.

Buffalo is coming off a 7-6 season in the MAC that included a Camellia Bowl win against Georgia Southern, Wisconsin’s Week 3 opponent.

It’s nearly impossible to forecast what the Badgers will look like when the season starts. The defense should impress from the jump, but the new offense may face significant growing pains.

Related: Ranking the toughest games on Wisconsin’s 2023 schedule

Luckily for Luke Fickell and his staff, Buffalo will enter Madison as the 102nd-ranked overall team in ESPN’s SP+ and the No. 113 defense. It’s a perfect tune-up opportunity for the Wisconsin roster.

Jaguars are slight underdogs vs. Ravens in Week 12

The 7-3 Ravens are favorites against the 3-7 Jaguars, but the line isn’t very wide.

To nobody’s surprise, the Jacksonville Jaguars are underdogs for a Week 12 home game against the Baltimore Ravens. But the line isn’t as wide as you might expect for a game between a 3-7 team and a 7-3 division leader.

The oddsmakers at Tipico Sportsbook have the Ravens as four-point favorites against the Jaguars with the total set at 43.5.

There are much wider lines in Week 12, including the Kansas City Chiefs set as 14.5-point favorites against the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. There’s also the 7-3 Dallas Cowboys as a nine-point favorite over the 7-3 New York Giants.

While Jacksonville is well below .500, the team has also shown more competency than the record shows. The Jaguars are one of the healthiest teams in the NFL and have managed to keep almost all of their games close.

Still, Baltimore comes to TIAA Bank Field on a four-game win streak and boasts the ninth ranked scoring offense and has allowed the 10th fewest points.

49ers favored at home vs. Rams despite Week 3 stumble

Despite a Week 3 hiccup, the 49ers are favored at home vs. the Rams.

A hiccup in Week 3 that pushed the 49ers to 1-2 on the season didn’t sway bettors from favoring San Francisco in their Week 4 home bout against the Rams. Tipico Sportsbook has the 49ers favored by 1.5 points on Monday night when they host Los Angeles.

Sportsbooks are far less reactionary than fans. While the 49ers’ performance in Denver was certainly dreadful, chances are that wasn’t the version of their offense we’ll see for the rest of the season. There’s a ton of bounce-back potential at home against a divisional opponent. Not to mention the 49ers have owned that divisional opponent in the regular season with six consecutive head-to-head wins.

There’s more to consider than just the 49ers’ Week 3 offensive performance though. Their defense, for example, has allowed just 3.9 yards per play through the first three weeks and they’re third in Football Outsiders’ defensive DVOA. While they’ve faced three struggling offensive, any defense that allows 28 points in three games is doing something right.

Pitting that 49ers defense against a Rams club that’s had a hard time protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford makes it easy to draw a path to a low-scoring output for Los Angeles.

If San Francisco’s offense can get right against a defense head coach Kyle Shanahan has consistently found ways to move the ball against, that 1.5 points should get covered.

Of course, there’s always a chance the 49ers offense bogs down again and even another sterling defensive performance can’t save them.

Either way, Monday night should be close despite the avalanche of criticism levied against the 49ers for their dreary Week 3 outing. They had a bounce-back win over the Rams in Week 10 last year, and Vegas is favoring them to do it again this season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxacb60r3mr0ac player_id=none image=https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=679597]

Wisconsin still a slight underdog against North Carolina according to BetMGM

Wisconsin basketball is set to start their NCAA Tournament later tonight against the 9-seed North Carolina Tar Heels. The current BetMGM

Wisconsin basketball is set to start their NCAA Tournament later tonight against the 9-seed North Carolina Tar Heels.

Wisconsin is fresh off four losses in their last five contests and nine in their last 14. A great thing about the NCAA Tournament, though, is that every team controls their own destiny.

A lot will need to go right for Greg Gard’s team for them to come out victorious tonight, first and foremost they need to find a way to reverse their 4-42 fate at Mackey Arena. But in terms of the on-court matchup, North Carolina presents a nightmare matchup for this Wisconsin team.

Related: How to watch Wisconsin basketball vs. North Carolina

The current BetMGM line for the game has the Tar Heels as 1.5-point favorites over the Badgers.

BetMGM is also expecting a slow, Big Ten-style contest tonight, with the over/under set at 136.5. Wisconsin is 12-15-1 against the spread this season, most of the losses coming during its losing streak to end the season.

Looking for some action on this game or others? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN, and WV. New Customer Offer: Risk-free first bet up to $500! Terms and conditions apply. Visit BetMGM and bet now! 

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Get ready for March Madness by registering in advance for USA TODAY Sports’ bracket sweepstakes. In the meantime, mobile users can play USA TODAY Sports’ Couchketball virtual hoops challenge – the interactive basketball game where your skills determine the outcome.

[listicle id=29611]

Packers open as 4-point favorites over Buccaneers in NFC title game

Despite a 28-point loss in the first meeting back in October, Matt LaFleur’s team are the early favorite to advance to Super Bowl LV. 

The Green Bay Packers (14-3) will welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-5) to Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Despite a 28-point loss in the first meeting back in October, Matt LaFleur’s team is the early favorite to advance to Super Bowl LV.

According to BetMGM, the Packers opened as 4-point favorites over the Buccaneers, who beat the New Orleans Saints as 2.5-point underdogs to advance to the conference title game.

The Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams after opening as a 7-point favorite in the NFC Divisional Round.

Green Bay hasn’t lost since Nov. 22 in Indianapolis. LaFleur’s team will be a betting favorite for the eighth straight game (7-0 in last seven games).

The Packers were 2.5-point favorites during the first meeting, but the Buccaneers used a 38-0 run to beat the Packers 38-10 in Tampa Bay in Week 6.

The Buccaneers won twice as an underdog this season (vs. GB in Week 6, at NO in NFC Divisional Round). They have won six straight games.

The Packers are 12-2 as the favorite this season, including the playoffs.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-related id=54970,54956]

[listicle id=54947]

Hail Mary! and 2-point conversion creates all-time bad beat for Seattle supporters

The Philadelphia Eagles scored on a Hail Mary! and 2-point conversion that ruined a win if you bet the Seahawks and gave 6 points

What started as a prayer ended with a crushing defeat for anyone who had the Seattle Seahawks in a wager against the spread in their game with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

Jason Myers kicked a field goal with 1:13 left in the game to give Seattle a 23-9 lead. A comfortable spot for those who had decided to play the road team and lay the 6.5 points against an Eagles team that has struggled in 2020 and whose offensive showed little life at the Linc.

And…then…it happened.

Carson Wentz drove the Eagles downfield. The drive went like this:

  • (1:13 – 4th) J.Myers kicks 63 yards from SEA 35 to PHI 2. B.Scott pushed ob at PHI 42 for 40 yards (U.Amadi; D.Randall).

  • 1st & 10 at PHI 42

    (1:05 – 4th) (Shotgun) C.Wentz pass short right to B.Scott to 50 for 8 yards (K.Wright).

  • 2nd & 2 at 50

    (0:41 – 4th) (No Huddle, Shotgun) C.Wentz pass short right to B.Scott to SEA 33 for 17 yards (B.Wagner).

  • 1st & 10 at SEA 33

    (0:21 – 4th) (No Huddle) C.Wentz spiked the ball to stop the clock.

    Still, plenty of breathing room and no reason to sweat, right?

On the next play, this happens:

2nd & 10 at SEA 33

(0:12 – 4th) Richard Rodgers Pass From Carson Wentz for 33 Yrd

Still, it is 23-15 and with the PAT, it becomes 23-16, a seven-point victory.

One problem. Eagles coach Doug Pederson loves the 2-point conversion, attempting them double-digit times. So, of course, Pederson keeps the offense on the field and …

Miles Sanders runs it up the gut and into the end zone for the two points that leave anyone who had Seattle and gave 6.5 points with a bad case of indigestion.

Final score: Seattle 23, Philadelphia 17. Any way you slice that, it is a six-point margin.

Ugh.

Chiefs open as slight favorites over Buccaneers in Week 12

The Kansas City Chiefs are road favorites as they head to Tampa Bay.

[jwplayer wzHcKkEY-ThvAeFxT]

The Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) have opened as slight favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) in Week 12.

BetMGM’s opening betting lines for Week 12 have been posted and for the second consecutive week, the Chiefs are favored on the road. The Buccaneers just suffered a primetime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football.” Meanwhile, Kansas City is coming off a thrilling “Sunday Night Football” win over their division rivals.

At BetMGM, the Chiefs are currently listed as 3.5-point favorites over the Bucs. The current money line is at -186 for Kansas City and +155 for Tampa Bay. The over/under point total is set at 56.5 points. The Chiefs have an implied win probability of 65% in this matchup.

There are questions about both of these teams heading into this afternoon game at Raymond James Stadium. Tom Brady threw an uncharacteristic game-ending interception in Week 11. It left the team frustrated and heartbroken heading into a short week against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Despite winning their game in Week 11, everything wasn’t all sunshine and roses for the Chiefs either. Their defense showed serious signs of regression. They struggled to get pressure and defend the pass, with Derek Carr tossing a 75% completion percentage for 275 yards and three scores.

Both teams also seem to have some injury questions heading into the game. WR Sammy Watkins is expected to make his return this week for Kansas City, but it remains to be seen if he will. LT Donovan Smith suffered an ankle injury on the first snap of Tampa Bay’s game in Week 11. He returned to the game, but it was clearly bothering him during the game. CB Jamel Dean also suffered a concussion during the game.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[listicle id=81077]

Vegas lists Washington as early 13.5-point home underdog to Ravens

Washington is a massive home underdog to the visiting Ravens this weekend, where they will have the biggest test of the year on their hands.

[jwplayer wlKImuIe-ThvAeFxT]

If you were hoping for a get-right game to let the Washington Football Team settle back into a groove after back-to-back frustrating losses, you should look elsewhere.

This week, Washington will host the crosstown rival Baltimore Ravens, who themselves are coming off of a tough defeat, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

The Ravens are one of the best teams in the NFL, led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, and Vegas sportsbooks are treating them as such against Washington. While betting lines are expected to move quite a bit between now and Sunday, the Ravens are currently favored by 13.5 points against Washington, according to BetMGM. The over/under has been set at 47.5 points, with Baltimore being listed at -715 on the moneyline, and Washington at +525.

So if you think Washington can pull off a miracle, there is definitely a pretty penny to be had. However, this might be the type of game you grit your teeth through and look towards the next week in the schedule.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=41973]

Cowboys open as 2.5-point favorites in Week 1 vs Rams

The Dallas Cowboys apparently are going to be heavy betting favorites early in the 2020 season. Everyone already knew who each team was going to play over the course of the season, but with the NFL schedule now released, sports books know when those …

The Dallas Cowboys apparently are going to be heavy betting favorites early in the 2020 season. Everyone already knew who each team was going to play over the course of the season, but with the NFL schedule now released, sports books know when those matchups will take place. Pandemic stay-at-home orders willing, the Cowboys are going to kickoff the season and christen the Los Angeles Rams’ new SoFi Stadium in Week 1.

The Sunday Night football matchup was one of our 6 likely primetime matchups and will feature what’s expected to be two high-octane offenses. The sports books are licking their lips at all of the possible prop bets, but the line is interesting to say the least. Traveling on the road, Dallas opens -2.5 according to the MGM Sportsbook.

The 50.5 over-under stands as the highest total on Sunday, only surpassed on opening weekend by the Thursday Night contest when the Houston Texans travel to Kansas City to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

The Rams are undergoing a bit of a makeover on offense, releasing star running back Todd Gurley and trading away wideout Brandin Cooks. Without a first-round pick, the Rams waited until the second round and selected RB Cam Akers from Florida State to replace Gurley and Florida’s Van Jefferson to replace Cooks.

Dallas has been lauded for their draft class, and will roll out rookie CeeDee Lamb to join with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup to take on a secondary led by Jalen Ramsey, acquired in a trade during the 2019 season.

[vertical-gallery id=645744][lawrence-newsletter]