Las Vegas places Wisconsin win total odds at 8.5 for 2022 season

Despite some struggles on offense in 2021, Wisconsin turned in a solid campaign. The oddsmakers think the Badgers can do it again.

Las Vegas puts the Badgers’ over-under win total at 8.5 for the 2022 season, according to VegasInsider. If the over hits, it would mark the second straight nine-win season and the third in four years — counting the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season, of course.

Wisconsin almost made a massive splash this offseason as it pursued Oklahoma transfer Caleb Williams before he committed to USC, according to On3’s Gerry Hamilton. Since Williams reunited with Lincoln Riley, it means Graham Mertz will be back under center for the Badgers for his junior season. He had an up-and-down campaign in 2021, throwing for 1,958 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

But the breakout star of last year’s Badgers team is coming back. Running back Braelon Allen burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old freshman, rushing for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the Wisconsin offensive attack.

The Badgers lost some talent on offense, though. Notably, tight end Jake Ferguson headed to the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ferguson was Wisconsin’s second-leading receiver last year, totaling 450 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Wisconsin lost its top two tacklers. Leo Chenal headed to the Kansas City Chiefs as in the third round of the draft and Jack Sanborn headed to the Chicago Bears as a UDFA. The duo combined for 206 tackles last year to lead the Badgers’ defense, meaning others will have to step up to fill those voids.

Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin staff hit the recruiting trail to bolster the offensive line, adding four-star Joe Brunner — the No. 1 prospect in Wisconsin, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.