The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off their bye week, ready to take on the red-hot UCLA Bruins. Bob Chesney's squad is ripping through their Big Ten school with an impressive win over the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. Now, the Badgers get to see if they can be the team to slow them down. The game still has a lot of mystery surrounding the two teams. Is this UCLA squad for real? Are the Badgers? Wisconsin is 4-1, with the only loss to Notre Dame, and the Bruins are 5-0.
Vegas isn't really sure what to do with these two teams, and it shows in the opening odds. As of Sunday morning, FanDuel has Wisconsin as a 3.5-point underdog on Saturday versus UCLA. Considering the game is on the road in Pasadena, that's an interesting spread to start the week. It's almost as if Vegas doesn't trust UCLA, but then again, there's no reason Vegas should trust Wisconsin either.
Wisconsin vs. UCLA odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Wisconsin +130
- UCLA -156
Spread
- Wisconsin +3.5 (-122)
- UCLA -3.5 (+100)
Total
- 45.5 (over -105/under -115)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Let's look at all this in detail and even explain a little bit about what Vegas is doing by opening the week like this. It's a strange Vegas line, fully proving that oddsmakers have no idea what to make of either team.
First, Wisconsin is getting 3.5 points at -122, while UCLA is laying 3.5 at even money. This is telling bettors that they need to put down some extra juice if they want Wisconsin and the points. It also signals that Vegas is only considering UCLA a modest favorite. It could suggest that the book is balancing exposure or pricing the sides differently, which is slightly interesting.
There are also reports that the line has been fluctuating between 4.5 and 3.5 all morning. That's interesting and shows that either bettors are bringing in extra activity on this line or Vegas has been moving it. Either way, it's extremely interesting to watch whether you are a better or not. It tells a story about what Vegas sees from these teams on Saturday. The book doesn't want to lose money.
Also, the over/under is fascinating, as Vegas is expecting a low-scoring game. Wisconsin's defense may be part of this lower number. 45.5 doesn't expect a ton of touchdowns. Well, Wisconsin's defense hasn't allowed very many all season... especially in Big Ten play. UCLA has been pretty stifling the past two weeks too.
While the Bruins allowed 38 points to Purdue, since then they've barely let anything across. Only three points to Maryland and 15 points to Oregon. So, Vegas is predicting a low-scoring affair.
Finally, Vegas also has to watch the health of UCLA starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who left the Oregon game and didn't return. This will also make the odds fluctuate. Either way, a 3.5 or 4.5 spread is a fascinating way to open the week for Wisconsin vs. UCLA.
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