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Wisconsin Badgers 2017 schedule ranked: No. 3 Nebraska Cornhuskers

By Taylor Johnson

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 26: The Nebraska Cornhuskers take the field before their game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 26: The Nebraska Cornhuskers take the field before their game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /
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Hitting the home stretch of ranking the Wisconsin Badgers schedule, the Nebraska Cornhuskers come in at number three. There’s question marks for Nebraska, but they will also provide a big road test in the early part of the season for Wisconsin.

Just as Northwestern will be a team to gauge how good Wisconsin is, traveling to Lincoln, NE will also be a measuring stick for the Badgers.

Related Story: Wisconsin Badgers 2017 schedule ranked: No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes

Nebraska will be going through some changes, however. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong, Jr. is no longer under center. It seemed as though he has been with the program for the past 7 years. Look for Tulane transfer Tanner Lee to step in. At least one analyst is high on him as Joel Klatt believes Lee is the reason the ‘Huskers overachieve this year.

Last season: Nebraska finished 3rd in Big Ten West with record of 6-3, 9-4 overall. Lost to Tennessee 38-24 in Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.

Finding a replacement for running back Terrell Newby and his 879 yards and seven touchdowns will be key for Nebraska. Devine Ozigbo is the returning back with the most carries. He ran the ball 97 times for 412 yards and five touchdowns.

On defense, head coach Mike Riley is going in a different direction with new coordinator Bob Diaco. Not only will Diaco move Nebraska from a 4-3 to a 3-4, he’s looking to return the “Black Shirts” mentality back to Lincoln. If they are to do that this season it will begin at linebacker with Marcus Newby and Chris Weber. By far the strongest part of Nebraska’s defense those two will be looked upon to carry this group.

With the changes across the board I don’t think Nebraska has enough to contend for a West title. So why are they so high on this list? Because it’s the first Big Ten road game for the Badgers. And it comes after a tough conference opener with Northwestern.

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Memorial Stadium will be rocking for this one. Nebraska will get a good sense of how they stack up against one of the best Big Ten West teams. And Wisconsin will get a very good road test at the early part of the season.