Western Michigan Broncos vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/30/2024

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Friday, August 30, 2024

Venue:  Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  WMU +24, Wisconsin -24; Over/Under:  56.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  WMU +23.5, Wisconsin -23.5; Over/Under:  56.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  WMU +24.5, Wisconsin -24.5; Over/Under:  56.5 points

Western Michigan Broncos:  0-0 (0-0) (MAC)

Wisconsin Badgers:  0-0 (0-0) (Big Ten)

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Western Michigan Broncos:  N/A

Wisconsin Badgers:  N/A

Western Michigan finished last season with a 4-8 record overall and they had a 3-5 record in their conference games too.  They were 3-2 in their home games, 1-6 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 23.7 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 31.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 365 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 393.3 yards per game. Hayden Wolff led the team in passing yards with 1505, Jalen Buckley led the team in rushing yards with 1003, and Kenneth Womack led the team in receiving yards with 691.

 

 

 

Wisconsin finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they had a 5-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-3 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 23.5 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 20.2 points per game. Their offense also averaged 381.2 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 344 yards per game. Tanner Mordecai led the team in passing yards with 2066, Braelon Allen led the team in rushing yards with 984, and Will Pauling led the team in receiving yards with 837.

The current betting odds have Wisconsin listed as a 24 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Wisconsin wasn't great last season, but they did finish the season 7-6 and won a bowl game too. They were 4-3 in their home games and had a really good defense that was only averaging 20.2 points allowed per game. Luke Fickell is in his 3rd season coaching the team now and it has been a rough 2 years with him since they really haven't had a true identity. He was an offensive coach coming to a team that is known for good defense and they didn't really do anything well in his 1st year. They were a lot better on the defensive end last season while the offense still struggled, but they should show some signs of improvement on offense in his 3rd year now. They are going to have a new starting QB, but he will still have a good defense to help him out and Fickell should have the offense on track to perform better this season. Western Michigan wasn't great last season with their 4-8 record overall and they were terrible in their road games too, going 1-6 in those. They didn't have a great offense as they only averaged 23.7 points per game and they are going to have a tough time finding the endzone against this solid Wisconsin defense. Their defense wasn't great either, allowing an average of 31.8 points per game, so even with the Wisconsin offense struggling in this 1st game back, they will put up enough points on this WMU defense to win soundly. The best way to place a bet here is on Wisconsin to cover the spread in this game. 

Western Michigan Wisconsin Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Friday, August 30, 2024 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Wisconsin 35 WMU 6.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Western Michigan Broncos Wisconsin Badgers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.

Western Michigan Broncos: 5-1 ATS in the first half of their last 6 away games. 2-3 (+4 units) on the first half moneyline in their last 5 away games. 6-2 to the first quarter under in their last 8 games. 

Wisconsin Badgers: 4-9 ATS in the first half of their last 13 games. 3-10 ATS in the first quarter of their last 13 games. 5-1 to the under in their last 6 home games.

Western Michigan Broncos:  None.

Wisconsin Badgers:  None.

“We’re going to run the ball well with our offensive line, it starts up there. And then the play action pass game and being able to throw the ball down the field is what we are going to have to do offensively to create explosive plays.” - Lance Taylor on his team coming into this new college football season.

“In a lot of ways here (at UW). I’ve kind of tried to really dive in to try and figure those things out as well from as many of those people, coach Alvarez being the biggest one. There are differences. How do we adjust and adapt who we are and what we want to do by the ways they’ve been successful here and still be able to put our own twist (on it)?’’ - Luke Fickell on his team coming into this season.

WR Sambucci, Anthony 

WR Womack, Kenneth 

WR Mortimer, Devaughn 

TE Bosma, Blake 

QB Wolff, Hayden 

RB Buckley, Jalen

WR Green, Bryson

WR Williams, C.J.

WR Pauling, Will 

TE Ashcraft, Tucker

QB Van Dyke, Tyler 

RB Mellusi, Chez 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Western Michigan Broncos: Lance Taylor (2nd season)

Wisconsin Badgers: Luke Fickell (3rd season)