The Wisconsin Badgers fell to 1-1 on the season with a 31-22 loss to Washington State on Saturday.
The game somewhat mirrored the loss to the Cougars last season, as the Badgers were likely the better team on the field yet struggled with mistakes, turnovers and an overall lack of consistency.
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The loss pumps the breaks on what the team can accomplish this season. While the team is 0-0 in Big Ten play, it’s clear improvement is needed before they’re again considered favorites to win the Big Ten West.
Five stats that defined Wisconsin’s loss to Washington State
As you can expect, Wisconsin’s projected winning percentages took a hit with the loss to Washington State. Here is how the rest of the season is projected:
Week 3 vs. Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern coach Clay Helton watches the team during the Eagle’s first spring practice on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Paulson Stadium. Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 83.2% Wisconsin wins (down from 88.9%)
Date: Sept. 16
Georgia Southern FPI Rank: No. 77
Georgia Southern’s 2023 record: 2-0
Week 4 at Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) breaks the tackle of Fresno State Bulldogs linebacker Levelle Bailey (6) during the NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35. Credit: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 60.9% Wisconsin wins (down from 72.7%)
Date: Sept. 22 (Friday)
Purdue FPI Rank: No. 59
Purdue’s 2023 record: 1-1
Week 5 (BYE)
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
Week 6 vs. Rutgers
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 72.3% Wisconsin wins (down from 89.4%)
Date: Oct. 7
Rutgers FPI Rank: No. 54
Rutgers’ 2023 record: 2-0
Week 7 vs Iowa
Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; A general view of Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 53.7% Wisconsin wins (down from 69.6%)
Date: Oct. 14
Iowa FPI Rank: No. 34
Iowa’s 2023 record: 2-0
Week 8 at Illinois
Sep 2, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs the ball against the Toledo Rockets during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 57% Wisconsin wins (down from 62.1%)
Date: Oct. 21
Illinois FPI Rank: No. 53
Illinois’ 2023 record: 1-1
Week 9 vs Ohio State
Ohio State’s Kyle McCord (6) throws during the second half of the Indiana versus Ohio State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Credit: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 13.8% Wisconsin wins (down from 14.7%)
Date: Oct. 28
Ohio State FPI Rank: No. 2
Ohio State’s 2023 record: 2-0
Week 10 at Indiana
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) scrambles during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Matchup predictor: 64.3% Wisconsin wins (down from 72.2%)
Date: Nov. 4
Indiana FPI Rank: No. 66
Indiana’s 2023 record: 1-1
Week 11 vs Northwestern
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Northwestern Wildcats interim coach David Braun shakes hands with Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Jack Kennedy (1) before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 73.9% Wisconsin wins (down from 82.5%)
Date: Nov. 11
Northwestern FPI Rank: No. 67
Northwestern’s 2023 record: 1-1
Week 12 vs Nebraska
Nov 19, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looks to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 78% Wisconsin wins (up from 76%)
Date: Nov. 18
Nebraska FPI Rank: No. 69
Nebraska’s 2023 record: 0-2
Week 13 at Minnesota
Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Sean Tyler (2) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup predictor: 53.6% Wisconsin wins (down from 58.8%)
Date: Nov. 25
Minnesota FPI Rank: No. 49
Minnesota 2023 record: 2-0
Overall
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
FPI Rank: 35
Projected W-L: 7.2-5.2
% Chance…
- Wisconsin wins out: 0.2
- Six or more wins: 82.7
- Win Big Ten West: 31.2
- Win Big Ten: 4.8
- Makes College Football Playoff: 0.1
- Win National Title: 0.0