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Expert picks for Wisconsin vs. Miami (OH): Badgers will take care of business

The Wisconsin Badgers have won 27-straight non-conference home openers, dating back to 1995. No one is expecting that streak to end Thursday night against Miami (OH).
Lorin Cox|
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell leaves the field after their game Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell leaves the field after their game Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Wisconsin BadgersMiami (OH) RedHawks

The Wisconsin Badgers have won 27-straight non-conference home openers, dating back to 1995.

No one is expecting that streak to end Thursday night against Miami (OH).

The Badgers haven't had the fastest starts to Week 1 in recent seasons, but that hasn't been enough to lose the game or put them on upset alert to start 2025.

The expert picks over at College Football News has all 12 analysts picking Wisconsin to take care of business and start the season 1-0.

As 17.5-point favorites, it shouldn't be a surprise.

The better question is how definitively the Badgers win and whether or not they're able to cover that spread.

Miami (OH) has had a formidable defense in recent seasons, but holding up against a Big Ten offense is another level compared the MAC opponents they're used to.

The Redhawks also have a ton of roster turnover, especially on offense where their regular season experience will be limited.

It's a real enough threat that Wisconsin can't overlook them or risk another game that turns out closer than it should be.

Fickell and the Badgers need to come out and show that they are head and shoulders above their non-conference opponent, rather than play down to the level of competition and sweat it out.

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Lorin Cox
LORIN COX

Lorin Cox is the managing editor of Wisconsin Badgers on SI. He has been covering Badgers sports since 2014, when he was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin. He previously wrote for the Wisconsin State Journal, NBC Sports Chicago and USA Today Sports Media Group, and he is a former analyst for Pro Football Focus.

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