It’s no secret Wisconsin has a favorable schedule for Luke Fickell’s first full year as head coach. The program gets a final go-around in the Big Ten West before divisions are eliminated and although Ohio State visits Madison, crossover games against Indiana and Rutgers won’t scare many.
The easy schedule does not guarantee success, as the Badgers haven’t found a way to win the Big Ten West since 2019. But for a new head coach, a new offense and new talent all over the field, this year’s slate is a perfect introduction to the new era of Wisconsin football.
Wisconsin has a scary trap game on its 2023 schedule
ESPN SP+ is a popular metric used to evaluate the quality of college football teams and predict which teams might be over or underachieving. Wisconsin currently ranks No. 19 in the metric, with the No. 41 offense and No. 7 defense. If Phil Longo’s offense is as-advertised, we could see that ranking rise rapidly once the season kicks off in September.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly updated his SP+ rankings after spring practice concluded. Here is where each of Wisconsin’s 2023 opponents rank in the metric:
Buffalo Bulls
Dec 27, 2022; Montgomery, Alabama, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Maurice Linguist hoists the trophy after defeating the Georgia Southern Eagles in the 2022 Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 102nd (-11.9)
Offense: 83rd (22.9)
Defense: 113th (34.9)
Washington State Cougars
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) avoids pressure from Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 58th (2.3)
Offense: 64th (27.4)
Defense: 54th (25)
Georgia Southern Eagles
Dec 27, 2022; Montgomery, Alabama, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Maurice Linguist hoists the trophy after defeating the Georgia Southern Eagles in the 2022 Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 96th (-10.5)
Offense: 60th (27.9)
Defense: 129th (38.5)
Purdue Boilermakers
Oct 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers line up for a play during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 48th (5.7)
Offense: 45th (30.6)
Defense: 52nd (24.9)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Nov 6, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 73rd (-4)
Offense: 95th (20.8)
Defense: 50th (24.8)
Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes place kicker Drew Stevens (18) kicks an extra point against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 29th (13.2)
Offense: 81st (23.2)
Defense: 1st (10.1)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst following the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 44th (7)
Offense: 86th (22.7)
Defense: 8th (15.7)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) makes a catch and scores a touchdown against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jay Shaw (1) in the first quarter of the NCAA football game between Ohio State Buckeyes and Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium.
Overall: 2nd (29.6)
Offense: 2nd (46.4)
Defense: 13th (16.7)
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen walks along the sideline during the fourth quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall: 71st (-3.4)
Offense: 61st (27.8)
Defense: 92nd (31.2)
Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 13, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks to the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 83rd (-6.7)
Offense: 126th (14.6)
Defense: 28th (21.3)
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer during a break in the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 49th (5.3)
Offense: 65th (27.3)
Defense: 35th (22)
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck argues with an official during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall: 31st (12)
Offense: 63rd (27.7)
Defense: 9th (15.7)