Point spread revealed for Wisconsin football vs. Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 3, 2024

Surprised by the opening point spread?

Wisconsin football opens as an 8-point underdog in its Week 3, 2024 contest against the Alabama Crimson Tide, odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

The game marks the beginning of the Badgers’ gauntlet 2024 schedule. The team faces Alabama in non-conference play before Big Ten matchups at USC, at Iowa, vs. Nebraska, vs. Penn State and vs. Oregon.

Related: Big Ten football 2024 schedule power rankings

The Week 3 contest against Alabama will be one of the toughest on the schedule. It will serve as a measuring stick for where the program is in year two under Luke Fickell, and for what the 2024 team can possibly achieve.

Alabama enters the 2024 season with first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm after college football legend Nick Saban retired during the offseason. The team returns many of its top contributors and is set to again compete for the SEC and national title.

But given the coaching turnover and possible early growing pains under DeBoer, this may be the perfect time for Wisconsin to draw this matchup.

The biggest factors in the matchup will be Wisconsin’s front seven against Alabama QB Jalen Milroe’s legs and Phil Longo’s offense against one of the nation’s strongest defenses.

Wisconsin has questions of its own entering the season. But an 8-point opening spread could signal a closer matchup than many anticipate.

DraftKings Sportsbook is yet to release the game’s over-under.

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Betting line revealed for Wisconsin football’s Week 1 matchup vs. Western Michigan

Do you like the #Badgers to cover in Week 1?

Wisconsin football opened as a 23.5-point favorite in its Week 1, 2024 contest against Western Michigan, odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

The game kicks off a gauntlet schedule for the 2024 Badgers. The team faces Alabama in non-conference play before Big Ten matchups at USC and Iowa, plus home against Nebraska, Penn State and Oregon.

Related: Which Big Ten football team has the toughest 2024 schedule?

Its Week 1 contest against the Western Michigan Broncos will be one of the easiest on the schedule.

The Broncos went 4-8 in 2023 in head coach Lance Taylor’s first year at the helm. His team is currently ranked No. 106 in the nation by ESPN SP+ entering the 2024 season.

Luke Fickell and the Badgers will have something to prove in Week 1 after a disappointing 7-6 2023 season. Phil Longo’s offense needs to take a jump in year two, and will rely upon veteran transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to do so.

Week 1 against one of the nation’s lowest-ranked opponents will be a good opportunity to start the season strong. The opening betting line reflects that matchup.

DraftKings is yet to release an over-under.

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Bo Nix is the key for No. 25 Oregon at home against No. 12 BYU

Best bets for BYU vs. Oregon.

The only stat that matters to me when No. 12 BYU visits No. 25 Oregon on Saturday is 20-0. That’s the Ducks’ record in their last 20 games at home, the third-longest home winning streak in the country. And that’s precisely why I like them to get the win over BYU.

The only question is whether or not Oregon covers 3.5 points, and I think they will for one reason: Bo Nix.

Nix will be the best quarterback BYU’s defense has faced through three games. The former five-star bounced back from a rough opener against Georgia to throw for five touchdowns against Eastern Washington in Week 2. BYU’s defense is somewhere in the middle of those prior two opponents, but nowhere near Georgia and not so good that it can’t be exploited by a capable player under center.

Nix’s job will be made easier by a strong rushing attack that averaged 4.5 yards per carry against UGA and sits at 5.1 yards per carry on the season.

Oregon’s defense isn’t scaring anyone either, which is why I think the game goes over 57.5 points. BYU scored 20 regulation points on a very tough Baylor defense, which should serve as a baseline for the Cougars on Saturday. But in the end, Oregon’s firepower should win out. I’m rolling with the Ducks by a score of 33-29.

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Why you should bet on the Nets to beat Milwaukee in a possible intense playoff preview

Get your popcorn.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets have played three times this season, producing two games that were duds and a third that was spectacular but missing Kevin Durant.

Since giving us one of the best series of last year’s playoffs, these teams have yet to play a game reminiscent of that seven-game set in the Eastern Conference semifinals. That’s about to change Thursday night in Brooklyn.

Not only is Durant back, but Kyrie Irving is now cleared to play home games for the Nets. And Milwaukee has Brook Lopez back in the lineup after he missed the first five months of the season. With the exception of Ben Simmons, who has yet to suit up for the Nets, both teams are about as healthy as they can be. And it’s just in time for a playoff tune-up and potential first-round preview.

So who wins?

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Betting 101 – Should you consider hedging your bets?

Sometimes betting against an existing bet is a smart play in sports betting. We explain when and why you should consider hedging your bets.

Our sports betting 101 series continues and BetFTW’s Mackenzie Salmon is here to help in explaining when and why you should consider hedging your bets if the situation is right.

Watch the video to learn these sports betting basics and utilize SportsbookWire.com for picks and predictions on all the biggest games.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Betting 101 – What is a prop bet?

Looking to get started with sports betting? We break down what you need to know about sports prop bets and whether you should take advantage.

Looking to get started in sports betting? BetFTW’s Mackenzie Salmon is here to help in explaining what a sports prop bet is and whether sports bettors should be looking to take advantage of them.

Watch the video to learn these sports betting basics and utilize SportsbookWire.com for picks and predictions on all the biggest games.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Betting 101 – Explaining Future Bets for sports betting beginners

Looking to get started with sports betting? We break down what you need to know about Future Betting and whether you should take advantage.

Looking to get started in sports betting? BetFTW’s Mackenzie Salmon is here to help by breaking down Future Bets and whether sports bettors should be looking to take advantage of them.

Watch the video to learn these sports betting basics and then visit SportsbookWire.com for picks and predictions on all the biggest games.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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WATCH: Betting 101 – Boosted Odds – Should you take advantage?

Looking to get started with sports betting? We break down what you need to know about Boosted Odds and whether you should take advantage.

Looking to get started betting on sports? BetFTW’s Mackenzie Salmon is here to help by breaking down boosted odds and whether sports bettors should be looking to take advantage of them. Watch the video to learn these sports betting basics and then visit SportsbookWire.com for picks and predictions on all the biggest games.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Sports Betting 101: Parlay rewards, risks and how to place your bets

The ultimate test of reading the odds

So you’ve cashed a few single tickets in a row, you’re reading the betting lines well and you want to test yourself. It’s time to start setting up some parlays. The bet itself is straightforward: select multiple games and/or player outcomes, and if you guess all of them right, you could turn a single digit wager into a massive payday. It’s also one of the trickiest ways to cash a bet. 

The important thing to remember here is that parlays don’t limit you to wagering on just one sport. While single-sport parlays are more common, you can spread your bets out across as many games, leagues and sports as you’d like. Here’s a look at how to place your bets, win big and avoid disaster.

How A Parlay Works

Parlays allow you to combine multiple bets for bigger payouts. Say you’re certain the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys are going to cover their respective spreads this week. Rather than betting each game individually, a parlay will combine those three outcomes at significantly higher odds.

If the Bears, Bucs and Cowboys are all -115 favorites (bet $115 to win $100), the parlay odds jump to +553 (bet $100 to win $553). Payouts are calculated by multiplying selected odds with each other, hence why you need at least two wagers to create the bet. 

In order to earn that payday, however, each leg of the parlay must hit. If any of the outcomes you selected fail to occur, the bet is dead. It’s an all-or-nothing scenario.

Here’s where it gets fun: bettors can mix and match outcomes. Let’s say you’re certain the Cowboys are going to cover but you don’t know if the Bucs will do the same. You could add the Cowboys spread and the Bucs moneyline or over/under to complete your parlay. Bettors can also combine player props to make a parlay, meaning you can pick the Cowboys to cover their spread and Tom Brady to throw for a touchdown to create your ticket. The possibilities are endless. 

More Risk, More Reward

The more bets you add to your parlay, the higher the odds and the bigger the payout. Want to place a 16-team parlay on the NFL each week? You may be able to turn a $5 bet into a few thousand dollars depending on the odds. 

You could also place a two-leg parlay for more money with a bit less risk.

The key is picking your spots and outcomes wisely. That +2000 moneyline for the Jacksonville Jaguars may help your overall parlay odds soar, but it could also tank the entire bet. 

It’s up to you to decide and create the best overall wager. If you’re actually seeing the lines well, a parlay will prove it. Even if not, you don’t have to risk much for a worthwhile win.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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WATCH: Betting 101 – What is a parlay?

Looking to get started with sports betting? Mackenzie Salmon of BetFTW breaks down what you need to know about parlays.

Looking to get started betting on sports? BetFTW’s Mackenzie Salmon is here to help by breaking down Parlays. Watch the video to learn these sports betting basics and then visit SportsbookWire.com for picks and predictions on all the biggest games.

Also see: Sports betting basics

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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