The Wisconsin Badgers were shown both the floor and the ceiling against Notre Dame on Saturday. It was a game that got away from the Badgers, and Wisconsin could never recover; then it got worse and worse. In the end, Notre Dame covered the 20.5 odds that Vegas gave them, and Wisconsin did not. Now, as we look ahead to Week 2, the early odds are out for Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois, and they are about as ridiculous as you'd think.
Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Wisconsin N/A
- Western Illinois +8000
Spread
- Wisconsin -36.5 (-114)
- Western Illinois +36.5 (-106)
Total
- 49.5 (over -110/under -110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
These odds reveal that Vegas doesn't think that Western Illinois really has a chance at all against Wisconsin. The spread and the total (over/under) are close enough that Vegas isn't convinced Western Illinois will even score very much.
If you run the spread and the over/under, you can get a score prediction that is sitting at approximately 46-7 Wisconsin, depending on whether you take the over or the under. This is exactly the game that the Badgers need, where the final quarter is throwing in backups and getting them reps. After taking a beating against Notre Dame from quarter 3 to the end of the game, a smooth-sailing Week 2 would be ideal.
There's still a ton for Wisconsin to learn in the next two weeks
Related: 3 reasons for optimism and 2 reasons to worry after Wisconsin's Notre Dame loss
ESPN Analytics agrees with Vegas that the percentage for Wisconsin to win is sitting at 99%. That's as big a percentage as the predictor will give you. So, in other words, ESPN also believes it will be a blowout for the Badgers.
It will be the first home game for Wisconsin this year, and the first chance for fans in Camp Randall to see this newly built group. The Badger faithful are a little bit frustrated about the showing against Notre Dame in the second half, but only crazy people thought the Badgers would win. You don't go from a four-win team to a National Championship team overnight, even with the transfer portal.
Everything is still in front of the Badgers. The goals that both fans and players have for the team are still there. The real campaign starts now. And even though this game is predicted to be a blowout, there's still so much that Wisconsin can learn.
The good news after Western Illinois is that Wisconsin has Eastern Michigan next at Camp Randall. And you can bet that the Badgers won't have a perfect showing even against Western Illinois; there will be things to clean up and improve. That's what Eastern Michigan will be, and then Penn State is after that, and that is predicted to be a loss, but it's a game the Badgers could win.
They won't see a team as hard as Notre Dame all season, take the lessons, move on, and go get the rest of the season.
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