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Vegas keeps moving the odds for Wisconsin vs. Alabama and it's not hopeful

ByMark Knight|
Sep 6, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images | Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Wisconsin is starting its daunting schedule this week with a huge road test against the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide. The opening line for the game was 18.5 in favor of Alabama. That line continues to move away from Wisconsin and more towards a Bama blowout. It's now all the way up to 21.5 according to FanDuel.

Yesterday, the line was 20.5, but it's already moved a full point, even more towards Alabama. This is not hopeful news coming from the oddsmakers. Those odds are about as bad as you can get between two FBS opponents. For reference, Wisconsin was the 28.5 favorites over Middle Tennessee.

There are some very optimistic Wisconsin fans hoping for a Florida State-style upset against Alabama. The hard part that Wisconsin has that the Seminoles didn't is that Wisconsin is going into Tuscaloosa. Florida State got to play host. Oh, and Florida State was only 13.5-point underdogs.

Why does the Wisconsin vs. Alabama betting line keep moving?

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It has to do with how people are betting on the game. Where the money is flowing. Vegas wants to make sure it gets paid and hedges the bets in a way that they aren't going to lose lots of money. In other words, they want balanced action on both sides. Thus, the betting when it was 18.5 or 20.5 was being heavy on the favorite. Vegas is trying to make Wisconsin a bit more of an attractive gamble, with a higher payout to those willing to bet on Wisconsin and the points.

Since the national pundits are all-in on Alabama, the crowd will follow and bet along with what they are hearing from their favorite sports sources.

It also has to do with how Vegas is responding to injury news. It's becoming more and more likely that Billy Edwards Jr. will not play. Which means Vegas sees a backup quarterback situation. It's also becoming more likely that Jam Miller and Ryan Williams will play for Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide more firepower.

At the end of the day, Vegas is not putting a lot of hope in Wisconsin to pull this upset off.

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