W. Kentucky vs. Wisconsin Prediction
Will No. 4 Wisconsin get any push back from Western Kentucky when the two open up their 2018 college football season tonight at 9PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
145 Western Kentucky at 146 Wisconsin
Friday, August 31, 2018
9PM ET – Camp Randall Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Wisconsin is the heavy favorite in this game, as the Badgers are getting odds of -37 points against Western Kentucky. The over/under total for the game is listed at 52 points. The public betting for this game currently has 69 percent going on Wisconsin at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Badgers with big expectations in 2018
Wisconsin is getting a lot of hype as a playoff contender for 2018 after coming off a dominant run in the Big Ten West last year. The Badgers were 13-1 overall and 9-0 in division play. They suffered a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, 27-21, but bounced back with a 34-24 win over Miami in the bowl game. The Badgers finished the year 9-5 against the spread and 8-6 with the over. This year will be Paul Chryst’s fourth season with Wisconsin. He is 34-7 in his first three years.
Wisconsin had one of the best defenses in the nation a year ago, allowing just 13.9 points per game. Offensively, they were much more explosive last year, putting up 33.8 points per contest. Wisconsin has a Heisman contender in running back Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2017. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook is also back. He threw for 2,644 yards, 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2017. Quintez Cephus was suspended indefinitely by the team and he led the Badgers in touchdown catches last year, but Wisconsin had good balance throughout its receiving corp.
Western Kentucky limps to finish in 2017
Western Kentucky lost five of its last six games, including a 27-17 loss at Georgia State in the bow game, to finish its season 6-7. The Hilltoppers were just 3-10 against the spread and 7-6 with the under in their first year under coach Mike Sanford Jr.
WKU managed just 25.4 points per game on offense last year, while allowing 26.8 per game on defense. WKU did have a great QB in Mike White, who threw for 4,177 yards and 26 touchdowns. However, he has moved on and the Hilltoppers need to find a new field general. WKU also loses its top two receivers from 2017, which isn’t good considering they rushed for just 791 yards as a team for the year.
College Football Betting Trends
Wisconsin
The Badgers are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 non-conference games, but just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against Conference USA opponents.
Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers have failed to cover in six of their last seven road games and they are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five against Big Ten opponents.
Prediction:
Wisconsin looks to be legit and I expect this game to be a statement. The Badgers are one of the few top teams to compete tonight and they get to do it on a national stage. I expect them to run right over Western Kentucky and include some highlight-reel passing. The Badgers’ defense shouldn’t have any trouble keeping Western Kentucky in check, as the Hilltoppers have a lot of offensive concerns coming into the year.
College Football Prediction: Wisconsin -37