Wisconsin Predicted to Win Big Ten West
Wisconsin had a disappointing 2020 season in which they finished with a subpar 4-3 record, but oddsmakers expect them to bounce back in a big way in 2021 as its set as favorites to win the Big Ten West.
WynnBET has the Badgers set as the -108 favorites to win the West Division, with the Iowa Hawkeyes close behind them at +115. Last year’s West division winners, the Northwestern Wildcats, are fourth on the odds list at +250.
Quarterback Graham Mertz struggled down the stretch of his sophomore season, but all of Wisconsin’s top receiving threats will be returning this season which should bode well for Mertz to take a step forward. If he can play like he did in the Badgers’ Bowl Game against Wake Forest, where he threw for a touchdown while completing 64.7 percent of his passes, Wisconsin’s offense will be much improved in 2021.
In true Wisconsin fashion, it will rely on their running game once again. Jalen Berger will serve as their lead back, but head coach Paul Chryst expects Julius Davis and Issac Guerendo to give the backfield some high-level depth.
The strength of Wisconsin will be their defense, as they are returning a plethora of starters that lead them to the ninth-best scoring defense in the country last year. Teams scored an average of only 17.4 points per game against them, and 299.9 yards which was the fourth best mark in the nation.
Cade McDonald and James Thompson Jr. will be expected to step up to replace Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand on the defensive line, but with nine starters returning this season, expect them to once again be one of the best defensive units in college football.
If all goes according to plan for the Badgers, a meeting with Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship is a strong possibility. Wisconsin has the third-shortest odds to win the Big Ten, behind the Buckeyes at -120 and Penn State at +800.
WynnBET has Wisconsin’s win total for 2021 set at 9.5, and if its able to live up to expectations, the over is a fantastic bet at -140.