Vegas has had a hard time with the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota since the betting line opened. Since the Golden Gophers were the home team, Vegas went with a safe bet and had them open as the 3.5 favorites. Yet, betters loved that line and began to unload on that line to the point where it moved towards Wisconsin.
Yesterday, the Golden Gophers were 1.5 favorites, and today, it's flipped; the Badgers are now the favored team, even though they are the road team. The money just continues to turn up Wisconsin, so Vegas needs to move the line so it's not as favorable for money to be put down on the Badgers.
Wisconsin is now favored over Minnesota by 1.5 according to Vegas
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Yet, a 1.5 favorite is basically a pick-em game, where Vegas is essentially saying either team could win. In fact, most often bet setters will give the home team about a three-point odd favorite to start due to home-field advantage. Thus, this game was a pick-em essentially from the jump, and now it's leaning pretty decisively toward Wisconsin.
Wisconsin fans will have mixed reviews on this news. There will be some that will love the fact that they come in as the favorites in Minneapolis, but others will like the underdog chip on the shoulder.
The Badgers still have their work cut out for them. Wisconsin is still listed as the second-worst offensive point-scoring team in the FBS, and while last week the Badgers put up 24 on Illinois, they have a starting quarterback who hasn't gone over 100 yards in his two starts.
However, the momentum is favoring Wisconsin, and bettors seem to know it, which is why the money is flowing towards the Badgers. Wisconsin has won two of the last three, both against ranked teams, while Minnesota lost to Northwestern last week.