Wisconsin suffered an inexplicable 20-14 loss at Indiana yesterday. The loss dropped the Badgers to 5-4 on the season and 3-3 in Big Ten play, while giving the Hoosiers their first conference win of the season.
There aren’t many ways to sugarcoat the effort. Yes, Wisconsin was without its top quarterback, top two running backs and top receiver. But Indiana entered as SP+’s No. 95 team in the nation and had only defeated Indiana State and Akron. They are easily the worst team in the Big Ten this season.
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The loss was Wisconsin’s second to Indiana since 2020. Luke Fickell was hired to compete for championships and elevate the Badgers’ status, so losses like these start to put that vision in doubt.
There are still games left this season, though. Here are rest-of-season projections for Wisconsin football according to ESPN FPI:
Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats celebrate their win against the Maryland Terrapins at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 81.2% Wisconsin wins (down from 84.1%)
Date: Nov. 11
Northwestern FPI Rank: No. 80
Northwestern’s 2023 record: 4-5
Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 74.4% Wisconsin wins (down from 76.7%)
Date: Nov. 18
Nebraska FPI Rank: No. 60
Nebraska’s 2023 record: 5-4
Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarter back Athan Kaliakmanis (8) runs for a first down against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 61.2% Wisconsin wins (down from 63.1%)
Date: Nov. 25
Minnesota FPI Rank: No. 54
Minnesota 2023 record: 5-4
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers logo on a flag prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
FPI Rank: 33 (down 4)
Projected W-L: 7.2-5.0
% Chance…
- Wisconsin wins out: 27
- Six or more wins: 97.9
- Win Big Ten West: 13.8
- Win Big Ten: 1.2
- Makes College Football Playoff: 0.0
- Win National Title: 0.0