Buffalo vs Wisconsin Odds: Fickell to Lead Badgers’ Comeback

Badgers (+800) Own Best Conference Odds of Any Big Ten West Team

August 30, 2023 780 3 minutes readNCAAF Picks & Parlays

Buffalo vs Wisconsin Odds: Badgers' Staunch Game Preview — Matthew Holst | Getty Images

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.

Date/Time: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Camp Randall Stadium; Madison, Wis.
Streaming: FS1

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 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 NCAAF schedule.

The Badgers overhauled their offense, bringing in SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai to take over at quarterback. Mordecai completed 65% of his es 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 UCF but prior to that was LSU’s ing 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 Point Spreads.