College football odds Week 1: How to Bet Illinois State-Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers, ranked No. 18 in the preseason Top 25 poll, will play host to the Illinois State Redbirds in the season opener Saturday for both teams.

FCS member Illinois State, the oldest public university in Illinois, will make the 200-mile trip north to take on perennial Big Ten power Wisconsin for the first time in football.

Here’s everything you need from a betting perspective on the Illinois State-Wisconsin game, from the point spread, moneyline, total over/under and expert pick (odds via FOX Bet):

RELATED: Top plays from Week 0

Illinois State @ Wisconsin (7 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1)

Point spread: No line available at FOX Bet
Moneyline: No line available
Total scoring over/under: No line available

Wisconsin (9-4 overall, 6-3 in Big Ten West in 2021) is roughly a 33-point favorite at sports books that have posted lines on the game. The team is 175-36-8 all-time against non-FBS teams.

The Badgers were 6-7 against the spread (ATS), 1-3 in nonconference games and 3-4 ATS as a home favorite in 2021 and finished unranked in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2002-03.

Wisconsin returns the fewest starters of any team in the Big Ten and got hit hard on defense, losing three starting linebackers and all four starters in the secondary. On the coaching front, the team has a new offensive coordinator, former Penn State star and NFL receiver Bobby Engram. 

The Redbirds (4-7 in 2021) struggled on offense in 2021, averaging 127.5 rushing yards (3.6 yards per carry) and completing 51.8% of their passes, averaging 124.8 passing yards a game. Illinois State averaged 18.4 points per game, 106th in FCS.

Illinois State is turning to Zack Annexstad, a transfer from Minnesota. Annexstad started seven games and played in eight overall as a freshman in 2018 for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Since the 2012 season, Illinois State has three wins against FBS schools (Eastern Michigan in 2012, Northwestern in 2016 and Colorado State in 2018).

Illinois State won two of its first three games last season but finished 2-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Pick via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz:

“I’m going with the Badgers here as they will control the line of scrimmage all game long,” Schwartz said. “Look for them to tack on late touchdowns to cover the 33-point spread.

“Wisconsin has the most unheralded running back in the country with Braelon Allen. As a 17-year-old true freshman, he rushed for 1,286 yards on 186 carries, good for a whopping 6.8 yards per attempt.

Braelon Allen is listed at +6000 at FOX Bet (bet $10 to win $610 total) to win the Heisman Trophy this season.

“Wisconsin’s defense finished last season ranked second in efficiency, which means Illinois State won’t be able to move the ball at all this game.

“The Badgers are more talented and much bigger in the trenches and will run away with this game.”

PICK: Wisconsin (-33) to win by more than 33 points

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