There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to Wisconsin football, but now one of those unknowns has been switched to known. The Big Ten has released the 2026 football schedule, including Wisconsin's. Now, predicting that outcome is the task at hand, an extremely difficult task because so much of the roster has been changed over. However, let's set to it anyway, doing our best to understand the schedule and the Big Ten landscape.
Sept. 6th - Notre Dame - Lambeau Field - LOSS
It's a tough start to the year, going against a team that is still reeling from missing out on the College Football Playoffs. Marcus Freeman will have this team coming out to prove something against Wisconsin.
Sept. 12th - Western Illinois - Camp Randall - WIN
The winning really gets started that second week when the Badgers taken on Western Illinois.
Sept. 19th - Eastern Michigan - Camp Randall - WIN
Pushing the Badgers to 2-1 on the season and helping propel them into Big Ten play.
Sept. 26th - Penn State - Beaver Stadium - LOSS
This one is a bit sneaky, and it's on the road, so it's probably a loss. However, Penn State has had a lot of change,s just like the Badgers. It could be one that Wisconsin pulls off. Don't count Wisconsin out of this one, but the road tips the scales.
Oct. 3rd - Michigan State - Camp Randall - WIN
The Big Ten slate is way more doable this year, and the first real winnable game for the Badgers is against the Spartans at home. This is one that Wisconsin needs to have to really show that there is a forward direction for the football program.
Oct. 17th - UCLA - The Rose Bowl - WIN
The Bruins were awful last season, worse than even the Badgers, and they haven't done this offseason enough to really show they are going to be a whole lot better. Even though it's on the road, it feels like a very realistic win.
Oct. 24th - USC - Camp Randall Stadium - WIN
This is another coin-flip game, and it could go bad if USC does what many predict it will. However, the Trojans have been mostly underwhelming according to their talent. Let's get Camp Randall rocking and pull off this probable upset.
Oct. 31st - Iowa - Kinnick Stadium - LOSS
There's a good chance at this point in the season that the two teams are in similar spots. Iowa at home on Halloween may tip it towards the Hawkeyes.
Nov. 7th - Rutgers - Camp Randall - WIN
This is a must-win game. Rutgers is not a team that Wisconsin wants to or should be compared to, even though that's been the case lately. This season will be different.
Nov. 14th - Maryland - SECU Field - WIN
Another bottom program in the Big Ten and a game the Badgers could have won last season if it wasn't for the Billy Edwards Jr. drama/injury. Now, Wisconsin gets redemption.
Nov. 21st - Purdue - Ross-ade Stadium - WIN
At this point in the schedule you have to be grateful that Wisconsin is playing a way different version of the Big Ten than last season. It's a realistic schedule with a few of the better teams like Iowa, Penn State, and USC but also some of the bottom programs like Purdue.
Nov. 28th - Minnesota - Camp Randall - WIN
Big win for the Badgers to close the season over their rivals in a home environment. This puts the record in a way better spot and one that will keep Luke Fickell employed.
Final Record for Wisconsin 9-3
This is a realistic 7-8 win schedule and a dream of 9-10. Let's be optimistic that Colton Joseph plays the whole year and the team is firing on all cylinders to reach that higher number.