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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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Saturday, September 9: vs. Florida Atlantic Owls

Difficulty: 1

The Florida Atlantic Owls scored themselves a major get towards the end of last season, landing Lane Kiffin as their new head coach. Kiffin, the former head coach at USC who spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, left before the team’s national championship game vs. Clemson to take the head coach at Florida Atlantic.

Much speculation suggested that Kiffin and Alabama head coach Nick Saban did not see eye-to-eye and that his departure before the team’s national championship game had a lot to do with their disagreements and squandering. This was not the case as confirmed by Kiffin.

“Coach Saban and I have a great relationship, regardless of what people may think,” Kiffin said in his first press conference with FAU. “I get my ass chewings from time to time. I’ve learned to accept those.”

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Money, location, and being back in the driver-seat fits into what Kiffin would rather be doing, and he already starts his tenure at FAU with the bringing in of Conference USA’s best recruiting class.

While the prestige of Kiffin’s presence is sure to make Florida Atlantic one of those mid-major contenders in a few years, it will take some time for him to get rollin’, and thus the Owls will not be much of a threat to the Badgers this year after going 3-9 a season ago.

This will be the first Saturday game of the year for the Badgers and will likely bring in another loud and energetic crowd.