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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 16: at BYU Cougars

Difficulty: 7

Despite the absence of a major ranked opponent to begin the year in the non-conference portion, the Badgers will have their hands full and them some when they head to Provo for their first road game of the year.

The Cougars are fresh off a 9-4 season and bowl victory over Wyoming. An Independent program in college football, BYU has had success at home vs. power conference teams and are used to having nationally ranked teams on their schedule. Last year, they finished 2-3 against Power Five teams, with their two victories coming away from home against Arizona and at Michigan State. Their three losses- Utah, UCLA, and West Virginia were all by a combined seven points.

BYU and Wisconsin last met in 2013, when the Badgers defeated a very good Taysom Hill-led Cougars team 27-17 in Madison. Their only other meeting prior came back in 1980. BYU won that by a score of 28-3.

Since that meeting versus Wisconsin, the Cougars are 2-1 against Big Ten teams. All three matchups were on the road as the Cougars have knocked off Nebraska in Lincoln and Michigan State in East Lansing. Their lone loss came at the hands of Michigan, a 31-0 shellacking.

It’s been four years since the Badgers have played a true non-conference road game. The last time Wisconsin left the state to a play a road contest was back in 2013, when they controversially lost 32-30 at Arizona State when the officials failed to call a delay of game penalty on the Sun Devils’ defense, causing the clock to run out and the Badgers without a chance to kick a field goal and win the game.

No time has been decided yet for Wisconsin at BYU.