The Badgers have much more talent and it’s going to be hard for Utah State to get going offensively against such a strong defensive unit. Wisconsin’s fate is eventually going to be decided in how it does during conference games, but the way it performs in this one could be a harbinger of things to come.
Wisconsin does have some new players in key positions, and this will be a good game to iron out any wrinkles before the schedule gets tougher.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Friday, September 1, 2017 at 9 p.m. ET at Camp Randall Stadium.
NCAA Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Utah State +27.5
Wisconsin -27
Over/Under 48.5
Odds Analysis
The spread is quite high for such a low-scoring total, so Wisconsin’s defense is really going to need to dominate in order for the team to cover if the Badgers don’t light up the scoreboard. Approximately 55 percent of the early action is choosing Utah State to cover.
The scoring total may be a tad low as three-quarters of the money thus far has hit the “over” on this bet. However, if Utah State can’t muster much offense then the “under” could also be in play.
Player to Watch
Kent Myers -- If Utah State plans to cover this spread, much will be on the shoulders of veteran quarterback Myers. He was very good as a sophomore, throwing for 1,593 yards with 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions, but regressed a season ago, throwing too many picks.
Myers hopes to turn it around, but this will be an extremely tough test. He has top targets Ron’Quavion Tarver and Rayshad Lewis back, and that chemistry will be valuable early on. Utah State has a new offensive coordinator in David Yost, who found success in the past working at Missouri.
The Aggies’ offense was poor a year ago and it led to an underwhelming record. Myers and the passing game needs to pick it up in this matchup.
Key Stat
8. That’s the number of returning starters for the Wisconsin offense. While the group will have experience, it was a struggle to score at times last season. The Badgers finished just 89th nationally in total offense and averaged 28.4 points per game.
Quarterback Alex Hanibrook had last season shortened due to injury and will aim to stay healthy throughout this one. He threw for 1,262 passing yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions a year ago.
The Badgers will likely feed bruising runner Bradrick Shaw consistently after he carried the ball 88 times for 457 yards and five touchdowns a season ago. He isn’t much of a receiving threat but should fill in capably on the ground for Corey Clement. Wisconsin lost star left tackle Ryan Ramczyk but the line is almost always solid.
Free ATS Pick
Wisconsin is so much more talented that it will win the game. There is no question about that. However, it remains to be seen if the offense can roll along efficiently enough for the Badgers to cover the spread.
Both teams have experience returning, and so first-game jitters shouldn’t be a huge issue. Wisconsin will likely play in a lot of close, low-scoring games as the schedule heads into conference play, but the offense will make enough big plays in this one to push this one “over” the scoring total. However, Utah State will cover the spread.
College Football Odds: Wisconsin 37, Utah State 17
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