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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 /
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Friday, September 1: vs. Utah State Aggies

Difficulty: 2

An unusual start to the season, the Badgers will welcome Utah State into Camp Randall on the Friday of the first major college football weekend of the year. Thanks to the Big Ten Conference, more games will now be televised and played on Friday nights. While some teams were opposed and reluctant to the idea, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said he would be open to the concept.

Shortly thereafter, the Badgers’ schedule was released and the first game of the year was no other than a Friday. While the fact of playing a college football game on a day other than Saturday may throw the Badgers (and/or Utah State) off, Wisconsin should be able to open up their season with a victory under the lights. Night games at Camp Randall bring an extra sense of energy to the stadium, no matter who the opponent is and unfortunately for the Aggies, the Badgers will be hungry after seeing a Big Ten championship and possible Playoff appearance slip beneath them a year ago.

Oct 15, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen reacts during the end of the second quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen reacts during the end of the second quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /

The Aggies finished just 3-9 a year ago, with their lone appearance against a Power Five team being a 45-7 loss to USC. Of course, there is some history between the Aggies and Badgers. Back in 2012, the Aggies narrowly missed out on an upset in Madison, missing a field goal at the end of the game and falling to the Badgers 16-14 while being coached by  Gary Andersen.

Andersen then took the job at Wisconsin the following year before bolting to Oregon State, where he coaches now.