Western Michigan Broncos (4-8 Last season) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (7-6 Last season)
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers August 30 2024 – The NCAAF season starts with a fascinating game between Western Michigan Broncos and Wisconsin Badgers on Friday. After finishing 4-8 last season, the Broncos hope to improve while the Badgers look forward to capitalizing on their better 7-6 record in the previous year. At the historic Camp Randall Stadium, this game is also aired live on FS1. It is the center of interest for certified sports betting sites to provide a wide array of wagers and potentialities regarding the forthcoming season.
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers August 30 2024 Game Info
| When: | Friday, August 30, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Camp Randall Stadium |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Western Michigan | +1600 | +23 (-110) | 52.5 over (-111) |
| Wisconsin | -5000 | -23 (-110) | 52.5 under (-111) |
The stark contrast in the betting odds reflects the expected dynamics between a dominant Big Ten team and a striving Mid-American conference contender. Wisconsin’s hefty -5000 moneyline suggests a high confidence in their victory, matched by a broad 23-point spread against Western Michigan. The total over/under set at 52.5 points hints at a game with moderate scoring, likely tilted significantly in Wisconsin’s favor.
Hayden Wolff QB vs. Braedyn Locke QB
Last season, the primary quarterback for Western Michigan, Hayden Wolff, completed 1505 yards in passing over 226 attempts, a rate of 65.5%. While these figures might look impressive, and his passer rating is commendable at 128.7, it should be noted that last year he played poorly for his team by leading to 18 sacks and five interceptions, which means that the offensive line of this team is not strong enough and there are some holes in decision-making.
Braedyn Locke on Wisconsin’s side had an average season, with the total number of passing yards amounting to just 777, while his completion rate was at 50%, giving him a passer rating of 102.5. Nevertheless, this accomplishment came as a result of a few attempts and short yardage gained by throwing with fewer interceptions which hints towards conservative play required to keep defenses honest against weaker Broncos.
The game’s outcome heavily depends on how good or bad these quarterbacks perform. Whether Wolff can handle pressure better than Locke, who has been playing carefully could bridge or even deepen the gap between them hence making their clash one among several narratives we would expect during the contest.
Western Michigan’s Offensive Strategy
Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan’s standout running back, amassed 1,003 rushing yards last season, achieving an impressive average of 5.3 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. His ability to break lines will be crucial for setting up the play-action and giving Wolff options under pressure. Kenneth Womack, the team’s leading receiver, will also be pivotal in diversifying the Broncos’ offensive plays through his consistent catching ability.
Wisconsin’s Response on the Field
Wisconsin counters with Jackson Acker, who ran for 322 yards last season and will be vital in establishing ground control early in the game. Will Pauling, with 837 receiving yards and a higher average per catch than Womack, represents a significant deep threat for the Badgers. Their game will likely focus on exploiting the Broncos’ defensive gaps while maintaining ball control to keep Western Michigan’s offense off the field.
Western Michigan Broncos Betting Trends
Western Michigan are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Western Michigan’s last 10 games.
Western Michigan are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games.
Broncos are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road.
Western Michigan are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Wisconsin’s last 18 games.
Wisconsin are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wisconsin’s last 6 games at home.
Wisconsin are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games against an opponent in the Mid-American conference.
Wisconsin are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games played in August.
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Previews
The Badgers, given the way they play and their history are highly likely to win over clear. This is a game that might have a total that could tilt towards the UNDER, especially if we take into account Wisconsin’s defensive strengths as well as Western Michigan’s inconsistent offense in general. To spice up things on prop bets, it might be interesting to focus more on what individual players would do with regard to Wolff’s passing yards or perhaps even Pauling’s receptions.
In summary, although the odds strongly support Wisconsin, there may still be some surprises in store for us due to this unpredictable season-opening, so it is one of the latest NCAAF previews.
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Western Michigan 13.
