Oddsmakers give surprising line to Badger football’s season opener

After a 5-7 season, Wisconsin needs to rebound in 2025 in a big way. Unfortunately for them, their schedule is one of the toughest in the country. head coach Luke Fickell will need to win all of the ‘should win’ games, and even a few ‘could win’ games if the Badgers are to have a successful season. Odds for their season opener against Miami (OH) have started to trickle out, and the oddsmakers may have quite a different view on the game compared to how Wisconsin fans see things playing out.

The Badgers will open the season favored by 17.5 points against the RedHawks according to DraftKings. It’s a bit surprising, considering Miami (OH) was a nine-win team last season while Wisconsin failed to beat either Western Michigan or FCS South Dakota by more than 14, but maybe this year’s Badger team is much more improved in Vegas’ eyes. The RedHawks do have Baylor transfer DeQuan Finn at quarterback, a sixth-year senior with plenty of experience, that could make things interesting though.

Is Wisconsin as dominating as Vegas thinks?

Now in most years, 17.5 points might even be insulting to a Badger team playing at home against a MAC opponent. But in 2025, it seems maybe even a bit much for this team. While the team does have a new scheme, a new coordinator, and a new quarterback with some additions on defense, it’s still difficult to project Wisconsin as a 7+ win team who can blowout the RedHawks.

Will they beat Miami (OH)? More than likely. But winning by three scores is an awfully high bar for a team that hasn’t shown many signs of improvement in the Fickell era. Hopefully they smash that number out of the park and win in dominating fashion, but unless the 2025 squad is significantly better, this feels like a one to two score game…either way.