Wisconsin Badgers Face One of the Toughest 2025 College Football Schedules
The Wisconsin Badgers are in for a challenging road ahead in the 2025 college football season. Brad Crawford, a respected college football analyst, recently ranked the top 10 most challenging schedules for the upcoming season. According to Crawford, the Badgers have the fifth-toughest schedule, with six games against projected top-ranked teams.
The Difficulty of the Schedule
Wisconsin’s season starts relatively gently, with nonconference games against Miami (OH) and Middle Tennessee. However, things take a significant turn in Week 3 when they travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to face the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is expected to be one of the top teams in the nation, making this an early season test for the Badgers.
The Conference Gauntlet
The in-conference schedule is no less tough. The Badgers will face multiple Top-25 teams including Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Washington, and Illinois at home, while also traveling to play Michigan, Oregon, Indiana, and Minnesota. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon are frequently ranked and should provide stiff competition.
Big Ten’s Hardest Schedule
When looking strictly within the Big Ten, no team has a tougher schedule than Wisconsin. Crawford places them as the fifth-hardest overall, trailing only Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma. The SEC, it’s worth noting, dominates the top four hardest schedules.
Background on the Program
The Wisconsin football program has missed a bowl game in 2024, marking the first time in 23 seasons. This regression under head coach Luke Fickell has prompted several changes to the coaching staff. One of the significant moves was the firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo and the hiring of Jeff Grimes, the former offensive coordinator at Kansas.
New Leadership and Transfers
Grimes brings back a playbook resembling the traditional Wisconsin offense, which should be a welcome change after Longo’s air-raid offense struggled to gain traction. Along with the new coach, Wisconsin has added several promising transfers. Billy Edwards Jr. from Maryland, Tanner Koziol from Ball State, and Mark Hamper from Idaho bolster the team, particularly on offense.
Outlook for the 2025 Season
Despite the influx of talent and a return to a more traditional offensive approach, the Badgers may still find it challenging to make a significant return to competitive form. Reaching the six-win threshold, while ambitious, is a realistic goal considering the strength of their schedule.
While the upcoming season promises to be grueling, the Badgers look more prepared to tackle their tough slate. Fans and football enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how they perform under these challenging circumstances.
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