Is it an opportunity or is it a difficulty? Or is it a difficult opportunity? The Wisconsin Badgers knew they were going to have a tough road this season, but the AVCA rankings just revealed exactly how hard the schedule truly is. The Badgers will take on EVERY SINGLE Top-10 team from the preseason rankings in their schedule (except themselves, of course). There is no other team that can claim a battle with literally every top-ranked team in their schedule.
Now, as they get to these games, the rankings will change, but for now, the Badgers will face off against No. 1 through No. 10 in the AVCA Rankings. The non-conference schedule alone features showdowns with No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Kentucky, No. 4 Pittsburgh, No. 5 Stanford, No. 7 Louisville, and No. 8 Texas A&M. The only ones they are missing are the Big Ten teams, or themselves at No. 6.
We buried the lede a little bit, with the fact that the Badgers are ranked No. 6 in the AVCA Rankings and the second-highest-ranked Big Ten team. That's a big story in its own right. Does it feel too high, too low? Seeing the teams above them, it makes some sense. Nebraska, Texas, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, and Stanford. The biggest argument to make would be bypassing Stanford, but with the Badgers being so unproven, that's a decent ask.
Wisconsin volleyball will face every Top 10 team in the country this season
Related: Former Wisconsin star Sarah Franklin heaps praise on freshman Audrey Flanagan
Back to the larger story, matches against every top-10 team. So the Badgers put together such an impressive non-conference schedule that they will be tested early and often as they take on every top-5 team (except Nebraska) ahead of Big Ten play. And every top-10 team (except themselves, Nebraska, Purdue, and Penn State).
Those Big Ten games are coming, though. The face-off with No. 1 Nebraska is a highly anticipated Big Ten meeting on October 10, and it will air on Fox. There's the match against No. 9 Purdue on September 27 and No. 10 Penn State on Nov. 8.
This completes the taking on of every top-10 team for the Badgers in the preseason AVCA Rankings. Yet, it's not a problem; it's an opportunity. This 2026 Badger team is full of talent, depth, and the ceiling is high. This team will get tested early and probably even drop a match or two as the young players step into the spotlight, but over the course of the season, you'll watch the group get better and better with each match.
The battle against every top-10 team is perfect for the Badgers if they want to reach the goals that they have for themselves this season. They won't be walking into the NCAA Tournament without a chance to have the best resume in the country. There's no team that can match what Wisconsin is putting on the schedule. If the Badgers can take care of business at the right time and in the right way, there's no doubt Wisconsin could even have that coveted No. 1 ranking. It'll take a lot of work to topple the giants in front of them, but it's doable.
Add us as a preferred source on Google