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The Wisconsin Badgers had an unfortunate year in 2020 due to a large portion of their games being canceled. All in all, the Badgers finished with a 4-3 record, going 3-3 in the Big Ten last season. The shortened schedule held the Badgers back from potentially having a much better season. However, the Badgers performed poorly against ranked teams, losing to all three opponents in the Top-20. This year the Badgers face a full schedule but people are worried they’ll see more of the same from Wisconsin.
Head Coach, Paul Chryst, will be entering his seventh year with the team and could be on the hot-seat. His saving grace in 2020 was their bowl win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest. The Big 10 is one of the most competitive conferences in college football. To be the best you have to beat the best and last season, the Badgers couldn’t even beat Northwestern. Will we see more of the same from Wisconsin? Or will the offseason produce a much better team?
2021 Wisconsin Badgers Futures Betting Odds
Wisconsin Badgers National Championship Odds: +3500
Wisconsin Badgers Conference Champion Odds: +900
Wisconsin Badgers Win Totals Odds: Over 9.5 (+110) vs. Under 9.5 (-139)
After a shortened schedule in 2020, the Badgers will look to set out for a better 2021. Losing to each team they faced from the CFB Top-20 was a huge hit to morale. They did bounce back and claim a bowl victory though so not all is lost.
This year, they come in with good odds to win the Big Ten at +900. The +900 odds put them at third-best to win the conference, just behind Penn State. The Badgers also have a more generous schedule this year, increasing their chances of taking the Big 10.
It would take a 10-2 record for the Badgers to hit the over on the win total. When looking at their schedule, they’re in great shape to do so. The only thing you have to keep in mind is not having an entire 2020 season to judge them on.
We can only go off of sample size due to a large portion of their games being canceled. The Badgers didn’t lose many players in the 2021 NFL draft, so most of the team is intact. Now, we have to ask how the Badgers can perform with a promising schedule and a key recruit.
Wisconsin Badgers 2021 Offseason Grade: C+
Key Additions: (OT, Joe Brunner), (DT, Curtis Neal)
Key Departures: (OL, Cole Van Lanen), (CB, Richard Wildgoose), (DE, Isaiahh Loudermilk)
Although Wisconsin didn’t land many high-ranked players in terms of offensive weapons, they recruited well. Offensive Tackle Joe Brunner is ranked as one of the best offensive line prospects heading into the season. He should be a great potential replacement for Cole Van Lanen, who was drafted in 2021. Defensively, they added Curtis Neal, who will be the run-stuffer on the defensive line. With the loss of Loudermilk, you have to wonder how the Badgers will create a pass rush.
The loss of lockdown corner Richard Wildgoose is going to be tough to remedy. The Badgers allowed on average 17.4 points per game and without him, Wisconsin could have trouble. The trouble won’t likely form during the season, but in the postseason, when they face stronger opponents. It’ll be interesting to see what the coaching staff comes up with to help the younger defensive backs. Their first game is against Penn State, so we’ll see just how strong the Badgers defense will be this year.
Wisconsin Badgers Preview 2021
The Badgers are in good shape to have a better year than the prior season but they lost defensive weapons. Without a couple of strong defensive backs, the Badgers will leave themselves subject to a weak secondary. It doesn’t seem as if that was a priority during recruitment though, and instead offensive line was the focus.
This could come down to a potential scheme the coaching staff is looking to run. Maybe they’ll be less focused this year on defense and more offensively centered. We won’t really be able to tell until the season starts and they face Penn State. That game alone should tell us what we need to know about the Badgers for the rest of the season.
Wisconsin Badgers Futures Best Bets
Based off their schedule, the over nine games totals bet is a good one to take here. Wisconsin looks to be the better team in all but one of their games. As far as the conference champion odds go, I’d leave them off the Big 10 ticket.
Thus far, it looks like Ohio State will be the clear cut winner, barring catastrophe. In saying that, you should be sure to leave them off your choice for 2022 College Football National Champion, there are much smarter bets to place there.
