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The Western Michigan Broncos and the Wisconsin Badgers open their 2024 NCAA football seasons at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Broncos fumbled their way to a 4-win season in 2023 in the 1st campaign under the leadership of coach Lane Taylor. Western Michigan showed some signs of life down the stretch, and it thrilled fans and alumni with victories over rivals Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.
Western has QB Hayden Wolff back under center, and with TE Blake Bosma and WR Kenneth Womack at his disposal, the Broncos could actually improve offensively. RB Jalen Buckley, who went for over 1,000 rushing yards, is also back.
Expectations were super high when Luke Fickell took over at Wisconsin before the 2023 season, but the Badgers tumbled to 7-6. To make matters worse, they lost RB Braelon Allen to the NFL, so they’ll have to lean into RB Chez Mellusi, who is back from a long-term injury. Wisconsin always runs the ball well, but QB Tyler Van Dyke transfers in from Miami to give the pass game a giant bump.
The Badgers have a lot of question marks on defense, but issues up front should be masked against the overwhelmed Broncos.
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Western Michigan at Wisconsin odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Michigan +1350 (bet $100 to win $1,350) | Wisconsin -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan +23.5 (-110) | Wisconsin -23.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Michigan at Wisconsin picks and predictions
Prediction
Wisconsin 38, Western Michigan 20
Moneyline
Wisconsin (-3000) would set you back 30 times your potential return, and there is never a reason to risk so much for such little reward. Even as part of a multi-leg parlay, including the Badgers would suck all of the value out of your ticket.
Betting such heavy favorites is never a good long-term strategy.
AVOID.
Against the spread
Back WESTERN MICHIGAN +23.5 (-110), as it has enough offensive weapons to make like a little bit difficult for Wisconsin -23.5 (-110) in the home opener.
Don’t be surprised to see the Broncos hang around in the 1st half, as the Badgers have plenty of questions on defense, and it will be working through some issues in the first 30 minutes trying to find some consistency.
In the 2nd half, and certainly before it’s time for the fans to “Jump Around”, don’t be surprised to see Wisconsin on upset alert before it pulls away. Still, Western should do enough to cover.
Over/Under
The OVER 56.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
Western Michigan got off to a slow start last season defensively, allowing 41 or more points in the first 4 road games, including an Over result at Iowa, one of the most offensively-challenged Power 4 teams in the nation.
Wisconsin cashed the Over just twice in 7 home games last season, but one of those times was against a MAC opponent, Buffalo, in the season opener.
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