The Luke Fickell version of the Wisconsin Badgers has been a severe disappointment. Not even making a bowl game in back-to-back years. Which means the Badgers couldn't even pull off a six-win season. However, CBS has a prediction for next season that will change all that. Fickell has broken the curse and gotten the Badgers back on track.
In the latest bowl projections after spring football, Brad Crawford of CBS Sports has Wisconsin playing in the Rate Bowl against Kansas State. What bowl? Yeah, the "Rate Bowl." Slightly underwhelming, but getting into a bowl game feels like a win for this program.
CBS projects Wisconsin to play Kansas State in the Rate Bowl in 2026
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The Rate Bowl isn't the worst projection, but it isn't some sort of exciting or top-end bowl game. Yes, beggars can't be choosers, and this site will celebrate it in so many ways. But it can't be the end goal, just one destination on the journey.
The Rate Bowl started as the Copper Bowl and, over the years, has had different sponsors and thus different names. Most notorious in recent years as the Cheez-Its Bowl. Or maybe as the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Rate is a company that does home financing and is the latest sponsor.
Kansas State actually played in it in 2024, and Wisconsin fans may remember it from last year when Minnesota played against New Mexico and beat the Lobos.
As this is a projection, and not a final thing, but just for kicks and giggles. The game is played in Scottsdale, Arizona, and so at least Badger fans would have a great destination for a bowl game in the cold of winter.
At the end of the day, it's good to see Wisconsin projected back in bowl games. Hopefully, this roster and this team surprise even more and find themselves surging this season. But even if this is the first step in a bigger one next season, we will take it.
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