Where the Badgers Rank in the Big Ten Media Poll

USA Today has released their preseason Big Ten Media Poll ahead of the conference's media days this week. The rankings were determined by 13 Big Ten writers and is a good preview of the new-look conference. So how did the Badgers rank?

Wisconsin ranks 7th out of 18 in the poll, ahead of Nebraska and just behind Iowa. It seems to be on par with most Wisconsin season projections so far as the Badgers still have a lot to prove after a very average 2023. Along with the SEC's Alabama, Wisconsin will also have to go through the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th ranked schools in the poll, setting up an incredibly tough schedule on paper.

Ohio State leads the way as Purdue found itself at the bottom, ranked 18th. The conference will send an automatic bid the playoffs this season and potentially an at-large bid or two as well. Wisconsin will face an uphill battle to achieve either, but with a nine win season, the possibility remains.

Here are the full USA Today Rankings:

1. Ohio State

2. Oregon

3. (tie) Michigan

3. (tie) Penn State

5. USC

6. Iowa

7. Wisconsin

8. Nebraska

9. Washington

10. Rutgers

11. Maryland

12. Michigan State

13. Minnesota

14. UCLA

15. Illinois

16. Indiana

17. Northwestern

18. Purdue