Buffalo vs Wisconsin Odds: Fickell Expected to Restore Order for Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers find themselves back among the contenders in college football following their celebrated hire of Luke Fickell. Ranked No. 19 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, the Badgers are expected to contend for the Big Ten West title. But there’s lots of pressure that comes with those expectations. Can the Badgers match them?

According to college football spreads, Wisconsin is a sizable 27.5-point favorite (-110) and -5000 to win outright, with Buffalo priced +1600. The projected total is 54 (-110). Read on as we break down the Buffalo vs Wisconsin odds in our game preview.

It’s a New Era with Fickell

The Wisconsin Badgers made one of the biggest moves on the offseason coaching carousel, hiring Luke Fickell. Fickell arrives from Cincinnati, where he went 57-18 over six seasons, including an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The 2021 Bearcats — the first Group of Five team to reach the CFP — went 13-0 before losing 27-6 to Alabama in the national semifinals, according to NCAA football scores

Fickell, 50, has deep roots in the Big Ten, having played and later coached under Urban Meyer at Ohio State. He replaces Paul Chryst, who was fired during the middle of last season.

Fickell inherits a strong season, one capable of competing atop the Big Ten West. The Badgers are projected for 9.0 wins and have the fourth-best odds to win the Big Ten (+800) behind Michigan (+175), Ohio State (+180) and Penn State (+500). The Badgers have finished above .500 for 21 straight seasons and own a four-game winning streak in bowls. They defeated Oklahoma State 24-17 in last year’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl to finish 7-6 on the NCAAF schedule.

The Badgers overhauled their offense, bringing in SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai to take over at quarterback. Mordecai completed 65% of his passes for 3,524 yards and 33 touchdowns last year. His abilities figure to be an ideal fit for former North Carolina offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who is bringing the Air Raid offense to Madison. Keep that connection in mind when assessing the Buffalo vs Wisconsin odds.

Many Changes in Order for Buffalo

The Buffalo Bulls rebounded in Maurice Linguist’s second season to go 7-6, including 5-3 in Mid-American Conference play. They capped things by edging Georgia Southern 23-21 in the Camellia Bowl, their second bowl victory in three years.

The Bulls have been pretty steady in the MAC, but this year could prove challenging. With only five starters returning, Linguist must reload on the fly. He has his hands full, especially on offense. The Bulls averaged 28.5 points but sputtered down the stretch, losing three of their last four regular season games. Former Rutgers transfer Cole Snyder started all 13 games last year for Buffalo, passing for 3,030 yards and 18 touchdowns. To help elevate the unit, DJ Mangas was brought on as offensive coordinator. He recently served as a defensive analyst for UCF but prior to that was LSU’s passing game coordinator.

Oddsmakers are optimistic, projecting Buffalo for 6.5 wins, with the Over boosted to +140. The Bulls haven’t exceeded that total in the regular season since 2019. They are also +650 to win the MAC, the third-best odds behind defending champion Toledo (+170) and Ohio (+280).

The Bulls have a tricky non-conference schedule, which also includes dates with Liberty (Sept. 16) and Louisiana (Sept. 23). Both teams are expected to compete for bowls at the Group of Five level.

Handicapping the Game

Wisconsin may have found the perfect fit in Fickell. A proven, big-time winner with Midwestern roots, Fickell shouldn’t have much trouble restoring order at Wisconsin. The Badgers fell down a couple pegs last season, but they’re not far off from competing again for Big Ten titles. Just look at the talent he brought in this offseason. They’re already favored to win their division, and that’s without having seen how Mordecai will fit.

Buffalo’s continued to find success in the MAC, but the Bulls obviously aren’t on the same level as Wisconsin. Playing the Badgers on the road — to start the season, no less — is a tough assignment. The Bulls may not be ready. It’s why the Buffalo vs Wisconsin odds lean heavily in the Badgers’ favor.

For college football betting news, odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads.

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