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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, October 14: vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Difficulty: 3

Purdue’s offense is nothing to joke about and is always a threat to scorch a team and put an unsuspecting squad on upset alert. On the contrary, their defense needs- and will need for awhile- some work.

Last year the Badgers won 49-20 in West Lafayette, and if you followed the Badgers last season- you know any time they scored over 20 it was a blessing. Yes, T.J. Watt had a defensive touchdown that game so really the offense only mustered 42 points, but you get the idea.

DeAngelo Yancey was the lone major bright spot for the Boilermakers last season, and with his departure to the NFL, Purdue will be in search of another play maker to count on.

Nov 19, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Bradrick Shaw (7) rushes the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Bradrick Shaw (7) rushes the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Purdue opens the season with a brutal schedule and with Wisconsin being the sixth team on the schedule for the Boilermakers, it is very well likely they could be heading to Madison with five losses on their record already. Opening with Louisville, and adding a road game to Missouri before facing Minnesota and Michigan to start the conference slate can not be what you want for a team that is rebuilding.

Nonetheless, it will be very unlikely that the Boilers can pull off the upset in Madison. Keep an eye on how they finish the year, though. With a lighter second half, the Boilermakers could stir some momentum heading gin to the 2018 season.