Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: Grading the difficulty of the Badgers’ 2017 schedule

By Trevor Jossart

Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) drops back to pass in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) drops back to pass in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 13
Next

Saturday, November 4: at Indiana Hoosiers

Difficulty: 6

There might not be a team in the Big Ten whose difficulty changes as drastic as Indiana’s when it comes to where the game is being played.

Dec 28, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Richard Lagow (21) prepares to make a pass during the third quarter against the Utah Utes at Levi’s Stadium. The Utah Utes won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Richard Lagow (21) prepares to make a pass during the third quarter against the Utah Utes at Levi’s Stadium. The Utah Utes won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s been 16 years since the Badgers have lost to the Hoosiers and 25 years since their last loss in Bloomington, and yet- every time Wisconsin travels there, the chance of an upset always seems to be a possibility.

Over the years, Indiana has not been much of, if at all, a threat in the Big Ten- struggling just to make a bowl game year in and year out. Despite the struggles, the Hoosiers have been in a lot of close games versus nationally ranked and contending teams and some of those have even come out with a victory.

Indiana last ten games vs. ranked teams

vs. No. 19 Utah (L 26-24)*

at No. 3 Michigan (L 20-10)

vs. No. 10 Penn State (L 45-31)

vs. No. 10 Nebraska (L 27-22)

at No. 2 Ohio State (L 38-17)

vs. No. 17 Michigan State (W 24-21, OT)

vs. No. 14 Michigan (L 48-41, 2OT)

vs. No. 9 Iowa (L 35-27)

at No. 7 Michigan State (L 52-26)

vs. No. 1 Ohio State (L 34-27)

As shown, Indiana’s worst loses-  Michigan State and Ohio State were both on the road and five of  the other seven losses were by one possession. Four of those were at home, while the game vs. Utah was a neutral site. Indiana’s lone victory against the teams listed also came in Bloomington.

Nothing about this should persuade you to think that Indiana will knock off Wisconsin, but do not be surprised if it comes down to a one possession game.