In his first season as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, head coach Luke Fickell had a miserable time for the first two-and-a-half months. Consider that the Badgers did not respond to Fickell for most of the year. Also, there were accusations by some players that not everyone was all in for the cause. But Wisconsin did finish well enough to gain a New Year’s Day bowl berth. However, the Badgers lost to LSU late and with some controversial calls that went against them. Wisconsin needs a strong Betting on College Football start to 2024.
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, August 30, 2024, 9 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI |
| TV Coverage: | FS1 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | +24 -110 | 56½ -110 | +1390 |  |
| Wisconsin | -24 -110 | 56½ -110 | -3460 | |
| ||||
Western Michigan Broncos Team Overview
Lance Taylor’s first season in Kalamazoo ended with a 4-8 record. However, the Broncos established some late momentum with wins over rivals Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. There are 15 starters back in a league with a lot of change and turnover at other programs. Thus, Taylor’s second team has the potential to take a step forward in the win column.
Former UMass head coach Walt Bell takes over the play-calling duties. Last year, the offense averaged 23.7 points a game and 5.02 yards a snap last fall. The ground game should lead the way for this unit, as running back Jalen Buckley (1,003 yards) returns. Additionally, there are three returning starters on a line that should be one of the best in the MAC. Quarterback Hayden Wolff (1,505 yards and eight passing touchdowns) has room to improve.
Last season, the Broncos allowed 31.8 points per game. So, new coordinator Scott Power has a lot of sports betting work ahead this offseason. The good news is that seven starters are back, and Power has a solid foundation to build around at every level.
Wisconsin Badgers Team Overview
Consider that Badger alum and former player, athletic director Chris McIntosh, decided to go all-in on modernizing the offense. New head coach Luke Fickell arrived highly acclaimed from his work at Cincinnati. Accordingly, Fickell produced a College Football Playoff bid and was known as a strong recruiter.
Certainly, 2023 was a painful transition that included admissions of locker room strife and players not caring. Previously, such problems were unheard of in Badgerland. Fickell went 7-6 in his first season. Including a 5-5 start and embarrassing losses to Indiana and Northwestern.
Most disconcerting was that Wisconsin showed a loss of physicality and character in 2023. Some will write that off to the coaching transition. But Wisconsin previously had three different head coaches after Alvarez retired with no interruption in production. In turn, the results were caused by the Badgers forsaking their proven formula and culture. If the Badgers struggle to score against the bottom half of the Big Ten again, there will be calls for coach Luke Fickell to pull the plug on the Air Raid experiment. Of major concern is how Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke performs at quarterback.
Western Michigan at Wisconsin SBG Free Picks
Year 2 could be another letdown For Wisconsin. Cause of a tough schedule and, for the second consecutive season, a transfer castoff and senior QB, Tyler Van Dyke, from Miami-FL. This Betting on College Football factor will decide the fate of Fickell’s regime. In this situation, Western Michigan offers more value with an enhanced away team price.
Western Michigan at Wisconsin SBG Best Bet: Western Michigan Broncos.