The Wisconsin Badgers are taking on what USA Today has dubbed the worst team in the FBS, going into week 2, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee is coming off a loss to FCS Austin Peay, while Wisconsin is coming off a shutout victory over Miami (OH). The Badgers are looking to go 2-0 before they head into the gauntlet with Alabama looming next week.
Wisconsin will be without its starting quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., as he's week-to-week with a knee sprain. There isn't an exact timetable for his return, but even if he could go, it makes sense to let him have at least one week to recover.
That doesn't really affect the odds for Wisconsin, as Vegas is predicting a blowout victory for the Badgers.
Final Odds for Wisconsin vs. Middle Tennessee - 28.5 Badgers
Related: This potential downside to Wisconsin clobbering Middle Tennessee cannot be overlooked
The odds haven't moved all week for this game as it opened with the Badgers as the 28.5 point favorites, and that's where it lands on game day. This is a pretty high margin, but considering Wisconsin showed how strong they are on defense last week, and the Middle Tennessee offense couldn't do anything last week, it's safe to say the game will get out of hand.
The over/under has shifted slightly, now at 44.5, compared to earlier this week when it was at 45.5, indicating that Vegas is predicting a final score of approximately 38-7. Which would technically be the over, and the score of 38-6 would be the under.
Final score prediction: Wisconsin 41 Middle Tennessee 3
I will also go with a blowout score. I don't think Middle Tennessee can hang with the defense of the Badgers. Middle Tennessee couldn't convert a third down in the last game against an FCS opponent. Wisconsin didn't allow a third-down conversion, so it could get ugly.
Having Danny O'Neil spend a week with the ones will help the offense flow. He has a bit of a gunslinger personality, and this is the type of game those quarterbacks thrive in.