Best Bets: No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers vs. Buffalo Bulls

We made it. The new-look Wisconsin Badgers finally have a real game this weekend.

The 19th-ranked Badgers will take on the Buffalo Bulls this Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will air at 2:30 p.m. CST(the best time zone) on FS1.

The return of Wisconsin football brings the return of not-so-great news for my bank account.

Especially after already emptying the clip before the season even started.

Last season was not great for me, to say the least, but I’ve promised the people a 50% record this year. And that is what I will deliver.

If not, I might have to move back in with my parents, on top of attempting to break an eating record from The Guinness Book Of World Records (which I can definitely do).

With that said, let’s get into the Best Bets for week one.

Wisconsin Badgers BEST BETS

Wisconsin safety Kamo’i Latu (13) reacts after tackling Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett (1) on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won the game, 23-10.

Player props for the Badgers are almost impossible to find on the big sportsbooks (expected for week one). So we don’t have much to choose from here, but we fight on.

Wisconsin -27.5 (-110) vs. Buffalo 

I’ll bite and take the Wisconsin Badgers to cover in week one. -27.5 might seem like a big number, but I’m banking on Luke Fickell wanting to make a BIG statement in his first game as head coach.

Wisconsin won by more than 28 points thrice last season, and Buffalo is a perfect candidate to be the first victim this year.

The Bulls went 7-6 last season and had a pretty solid defense, but only five of the starters on defense are returning. So, I don’t expect that to play a factor.

Not to mention, the toughest competition they faced last year was Maryland. Pair that with the fact the offense won’t be completely one-dimensional this year — and a blowout victory should be the expectation for all Badger fans in week one.

Wisconsin Badgers 1st Quarter -7.5 (+124)

Draftkings, which is usually my go-to sportsbook, seems to think the Wisconsin Badgers will start slow in this one by giving out plus odds. Which I’m just enough of a sucker to take.

I do get the logic behind it, though.

Wisconsin historically starts games slow, and in years past, it was all about controlling the clock. The Badgers are running a brand new style of offense, and it might take a quarter or two to get in a rhythm. What if Tanner Mordecai has way too much confidence and throws a gazillion interceptions like he did in the spring game?

I’m willing to bet against all of those scenarios, though, and this will be my 2nd highest-wagered bet this week, simply because of the odds.

Game Total Under 54.5 Points (-112)

I’m disgusted at myself for betting on an under. I hate myself even more for making it my best bet of the week.

But I couldn’t talk myself into the over the more I thought about it.

Counting on Buffalo scoring enough points to help hit the over isn’t smart. I’m all in on the Wisconsin Badgers wanting to make a statement and running up the score if they can. But counting on them scoring over 40-45 points seems a bit ridiculous, especially if the offense starts out slow.

Other CFB Bets I Like

LSU -2.5 vs. Florida State (-110) – This should be a banger of a game. LSU is one of the teams I bet on to win the title, so I’ll take them and the points.

Alabama -39.5 vs. Middle Tennessee (-110) – Nick Saban loves to run up the score, and I feel like Alabama always beats the shit out of teams like this.

Minnesota -7 vs. Nebraska – Fuck Nebraska.

*If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Always bet responsibly.

Badgers Country. Let’s ride.

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