Wisconsin's football schedule is nowhere near as hard as last season, which is good news for Luke Fickell. He's in a make-or-break season and can't simply throw another five or fewer win season on the board. He needs to get the Badgers turned around and fast, and the schedule helps him this year. It's a manageable schedule that realistically could be seven wins or more. This doesn't mean it's completely without problems. There are some landmines in the way.
Let's rank each opponent from the easiest to the toughest in 2026 and give a quick reasoning for each.
12. Western Illinois
The only FCS team on the Wisconsin schedule, and this one should be a good follow-up game to Notre Dame. If the Badgers pull off the improbable and beat the Irish, it's a good emotional letdown game. If they do what many think will happen and get beat handedly by the Irish, it's a good "get right" game.
11. Eastern Michigan
The only other non-conference opponent that isn't going to be ranked. Eastern Michigan is an FBS opponent, but still one that Wisconsin should easily beat.
10. Purdue
The Boilermakers have been one of the worst (if not the very worst) teams in the Big Ten year after year. This one shouldn't pose a big problem to the Badgers, but you literally never know in the Big Ten.
9. Michigan State
The Spartans are trying to find their groove again, but continue to be towards the bottom of the conference. The Badgers need to win this game, and it shouldn't be close.
8. Rutgers
It's hard to know what Rutgers will throw at Wisconsin, but it's another manageable Big Ten game where Wisconsin will be the favorite. It's a game the Badgers need to win to get to 7 or 8 wins.
7. Maryland
Maryland whooped up on the Badgers last season, and Luke Fickell hopefully will have the team more ready. It was a weird game last year with Billy Edwards injured by trying to gut through it only to get injured again, and the whole team then took their collective foot off the gas.
6. Minnesota
A middle-of-the-pack Big Ten school finds itself in the middle of the pack of this list. Luke Fickell can't keep losing the axe game; this is the year he gets it right.
5. UCLA
A talented roster, but a new coaching staff. It's hard to predict how the Bruins will play this season and new coaching is never a guarantee.
4. Iowa
Would love to have this one, but don't need to have it. We are starting to get into the teeth of the schedule, and yet it's still avoiding the juggernauts of the conference. The Hawkeyes are going to be toward the top, but not at the top of the Big Ten.
3. Penn State
Matt Campbell is a good coach, but it's his first season. If there's a time to take down the Nittany Lions, it's this season. Yet, it's still a team loaded with talent. It will be interesting to see how Penn State looks this season.
2. USC
One of the most talented and stacked teams in the Big Ten this season, but Lincoln Riley has yet to figure it out at USC. Is this the season he finally does?
1. Notre Dame
The Irish will start the season ranked in the top-3. They are clearly the toughest team on Wisconsin's schedule. It's too bad; it's the very first game of the season.
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