Wisconsin Football Faces a Brutal Schedule in 2024
With the recent Big Ten expansion, Wisconsin will have to battle it out against some seriously tough foes.
You play whoever is on your schedule, but wouldn't it be nicer if there weren't three of the top 10 ranked opponents on it? This looks to be the case for the Badgers in 2024 based on ESPN's early ranking projections. Wisconsin will face Alabama, Penn State, and Oregon this year, all who appear to be locked in to a top 10 preseason ranking. Not to mention their other potentially ranked foes, Iowa and USC, close to half the Badgers entire schedule could be against a top 25 ranked school.
Coach Luke Fickell's first full season at the helm didn't exactly meet the fanbase's high expectations. And with many lingering roster questions headed into spring, primarily at quarterback, the Badgers will face a trial by fire with SEC powerhouse Alabama coming to town in just week three of the season. With newcomer USC on the schedule the very next week, Wisconsin could already sit at only .500, just four games into the year.
Things won't get any easier in the thick of their conference schedule with teams like Penn State, Oregon and Iowa. Oregon and Penn State are both potential playoff teams and Iowa won't be a cake walk either. Fickell's squad finished a disappointing 7-6 last season with an objectively easier schedule. So it does strike a little fear into the hearts of Badger fans when they see opponents like this in 2024.
It's easy to see how, if the Badgers aren't careful, could wind up with a lowly .500 record this season. Hopefully things come together on the offensive line and at quarterback and it's actually Wisconsin that all these teams will fear.