Analyzing the lines to bet for Wisconsin football against Western Kentucky.
Football season is finally here and that means more than just the game on the field. For the sports gambling world, football season is the best time of the year too. Vegas isn’t prejudiced. Wisconsin football may have a game against a weak opponent, but a winning bet still pays the same.
Sports betting, and specifically betting spreads, is the best way to keep an interest in a game like the one we’ll see Friday between Wisconsin and Western Kentucky. The game shouldn’t be close, but with the spread in play, it becomes much more entertaining.
The current lines on Oddsshark for the game sit at Wisconsin -34.5 and have the over/under set at 51. This may vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, but not by much. As the week unfolds this line and total may also shift, but with an opponent like the Hilltoppers, the numbers will likely only go up.
With this spread and total, the predicted final score is roughly Wisconsin 43 – Western Kentucky 8. Let’s break them down and take our sides.
Please remember to always play responsibly. Do not wager any money you do not have and do not take anything I say here or in the future as fact. No bet is guaranteed. I do not personally gamble on sports, I only entertain the concept as an additional way to enjoy and discuss sports. I do not encourage gambling.
The Spread
A spread this large is difficult to figure out. There’s more to it than just predicting a winner. The easiest thing to do is predict your own final score and see how it applies to the spread and total. I personally see Wisconsin approaching 50, which means Western Kentucky would have to score at least three times to cover. I don’t see that happening.
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The only reason Wisconsin won’t be able to cover this spread is if the defense struggles throughout all four quarters. The offense will be able to ground and pound its way to a ton of points. The Badgers aren’t a pass-heavy team so when the foot comes off the gas in the second half and they only run the ball, the Badgers will still be playing to their strengths. That physical style of football will only wear Western Kentucky as the game goes on and allow more points to go up on the scoreboard.
The Total
If we’re applying my score prediction to the total, then the pick is clearly a bet on the over here. If the game is closer to the actual spread and the total is accurate, then a score of about 43-8 is what we can look at.
Eight is a weird football number and super unlikely for Western Kentucky to hit. If we concede at least one touchdown to the Hilltoppers, all they’ll need to give the over a good chance to hit is a field goal. The Badgers can easily reach 40 in this one, and I think 10 is doable for Western Kentucky.
In the first game of the season, at home, under the lights, Paul Chryst will probably be a little more flashy and aggressive than usual. In these kinds of games, betting the over on the total is really your only option.
Especially as a Badger fan, you don’t want to be rooting for the Badgers to not score as many points as they can. Either take the over or stay away from the total.
Official play: Wisconsin -34.5, over 51.