The Wisconsin Badgers knew they had a tough challenge against Notre Dame in Week 1, but now, it's time for them to turn a corner.
Head coach Luke Fickell has struggled with this team for as long as he can remember, but in games like these, he's never let the Badgers down.
Wisconsin is 3-0 all-time
against Western Illinois, and Fickell and Co. aren't looking for that to change in the Badgers 2026 home opener.Similar to when the odds first came out, Wisconsin is heavily favored, as expected, and rightfully so, knowing the Leathernecks were just blown out by Illinois State.
Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois game odds
All college football odds via Hard Rock Bet
Spread: Wisconsin -39.5 (-115), Western Illinois +39.5 (-105)
Over-Under: Over 48.5 (-115), Under 48.5 (-105)
Money Line: N/A
Odds up to
date as of 5:20 a.m. EST on Saturday, September 12
Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois prediction
Western Illinois did not look like a great football team last week against Illinois State, so why will they be against the Badgers?
Wisconsin hung in there with Notre Dame for the first 30 minutes, and it's hard to imagine a world where the Leathernecks make things interesting in the second half of this one.
The spread is a bit too outrageous, and while UW should win with ease, there's a pretty clear path for Western Illinois to cover.
Prediction: Wisconsin 41, Western Illinois 3
Best Bet: Western Illinois +39.5
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football vs. Western Illinois: Betting lines, prediction
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