Wisconsin’s first season under Luke Fickell didn’t come anywhere close to meeting expectations, as the Badgers finished 7-6 with a loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The on-field results have created more measured enthusiasm with Year 2 approaching. Of course, there’s another reason why Fickell’s second season has generated more of a wait-and-see vibe: the schedule.
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With three potential top-15 opponents (Alabama, Penn State and Oregon), as well as five road games that include USC and Iowa, the Badgers have a significant challenge on their hands. Which games should fans look forward to most? Let’s examine Wisconsin’s 2024 schedule game-by-game from least appealing to most appealing.
12. South Dakota
Date: Sept. 7 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 10-3, 7-1 (2nd, Missouri Valley)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. South Dakota: 2-0
Last meeting: Sept. 24, 2011; Wisconsin 59-10
Coach (record): Bob Nielson (42-45 in 8 years at South Dakota; 228-125-1 in 31 years overall)
Wisconsin is 13-0 against FCS opponents since divisions split in 1978, which includes a drubbing of South Dakota 13 years ago behind three Russell Wilson touchdown passes and five team rushing touchdowns. This South Dakota team is coming off a 10-win season and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. Wisconsin could use a sharp performance that allows it to round into form ahead of a showdown against Alabama.
11. Rutgers
Date: Oct. 12 at SHI Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 7-6, 3-6 (5th, Big Ten East)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Rutgers: 5-0
Last meeting: Oct. 7, 2023; Wisconsin 24-13
Coach (record): Greg Schiano (87-95, 15 years at Rutgers)
The excitement levels surrounding Big Ten expansion among fans have varied greatly over the years. Bringing in four former Pac-12 teams this year means better football matchups. Bringing in Rutgers and Maryland in 2014? Not so much. And so, we have a Wisconsin-Rutgers matchup in Piscataway, N.J. that isn’t likely to stir the Badgers masses. Rutgers won the Pinstripe Bowl last season but also lost to Wisconsin during a game in which Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown.
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10. Western Michigan
Date: Aug. 31 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 4-8, 3-5 (T-4th, MAC West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Western Michigan: 4-1
Last meeting: Jan. 2, 2017; Wisconsin 24-16 in the Cotton Bowl
Coach (record): Lance Taylor (4-8 in 1 year at Western Michigan)
Much like Wisconsin’s season opener last year against Buffalo, the intrigue surrounding this one will be seeing what the Badgers look like in a game setting. How much more refined is the offense and defense? Can quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, assuming he wins the starting job, be a difference-maker to spark an offense that averaged just 23.5 points per game last season? Western Michigan returns 17 starters, including a pair of first-team all-MAC offensive performers, as well as running back Jalen Buckley, the league’s freshman of the year.
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9. Purdue
Date: Oct. 5 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 4-8, 3-6 (T-4th, Big Ten West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Purdue: 53-29-8
Last meeting: Sept. 22, 2023; Wisconsin 38-17
Coach (record): Ryan Walters (4-8, 1 year at Purdue)
Wisconsin has owned Purdue, amassing an astonishing 17-game series winning streak that began in 2004. The Badgers opened Big Ten play last season with an impressive showing against the Boilermakers but lost running back Chez Mellusi for the season to a fractured left fibula and a dislocated ankle that required reconstructive surgery. Purdue returns quarterback Hudson Card and has experience at running back, but this is a game Wisconsin needs to win, especially considering some of the tough matchups that follow.
8. Nebraska
Date: Nov. 23 at Memorial Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 5-7, 3-6 (T-4th, Big Ten West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Nebraska: 13-4
Last meeting: Nov. 18, 2023; Wisconsin 24-17 in OT
Coach (record): Matt Rhule (5-7, 1 year at Nebraska; 52-50, 8 years overall in college)
Wisconsin-Nebraska never materialized into the rivalry Big Ten officials hoped for, largely because the Cornhuskers simply have not fielded good enough teams. But even though the Badgers have won 10 consecutive games in the series, recent history shows how competitive (and ugly) these games have become. Wisconsin squeezed past Nebraska 15-14 at Memorial Stadium two seasons ago to help interim coach Jim Leonhard’s team become bowl-eligible. The Badgers turned an early 14-point deficit into an overtime win last season to help Fickell’s first Wisconsin team reach bowl eligibility and avoid the program’s first four-game home losing streak since 1990. Rhule, entering his second season at Nebraska, signed five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is the top candidate to start.
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7. Northwestern
Date: Oct. 19 at Martin Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 8-5, 5-4 (T-2nd, Big Ten West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Northwestern: 62-38-5
Last meeting: Nov. 11, 2023; Northwestern 24-10
Coach (record): David Braun (8-5, 1 year at Northwestern)
Wisconsin’s 24-10 home loss to Northwestern, in which the Badgers trailed by three touchdowns at halftime, was the low point of last season and a performance Fickell called “embarrassing.” This time around, the game has even more intrigue because of the venue. With Northwestern in the process of building a new football stadium, the Wildcats will play at a temporary structure that features views of Lake Michigan on three sides. How much the wind off the lake impacts the ability to pass remains to be seen, but it should be interesting to find out.
6. Penn State
Date: Oct. 26 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 (3rd, Big Ten East)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Penn State: 9-11
Last meeting: Sept. 4, 2021; Penn State 16-10
Coach (record): James Franklin (88-39, 10 years at Penn State; 112-54, 13 years overall)
Wisconsin and Penn State rarely play despite being in the same conference, which likely contributes to the matchups feeling like such big games. Penn State has won five consecutive games in the series but played Wisconsin just once since 2018. If you’re looking for a season-defining stretch for Wisconsin, this is probably it. The Penn State matchup could be the start of three straight games against ranked opponents, with Iowa and Oregon to follow. Penn State will be coming off an idle week to play Wisconsin ahead of a huge home game against Ohio State.
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5. USC
Date: Sept. 28 at LA Memorial Coliseum, time TBD
2023 record: 8-5, 5-4 (T-5th, Pac-12)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. USC: 1-6
Last meeting: Dec. 30, 2015; Wisconsin 23-21 in the Holiday Bowl
Coach (record): Lincoln Riley (19-8, 2 years at USC; 74-18, 7 years overall)
Wisconsin begins a new era for the Big Ten in Los Angeles with a game that will be vital for the Badgers to set the tone in conference play. Gone is USC quarterback Caleb Williams. In steps Miller Moss, who passed for six touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl. USC’s defense last season was porous, and its defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, was fired and is now the safeties coach at Wisconsin. The Badgers will play this game after their first of two idle weeks.
4. Minnesota
Date: Nov. 30 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 6-7, 3-6 (T-4th, Big Ten West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Minnesota: 63-62-8
Last meeting: Nov. 25, 2023; Wisconsin 28-14
Coach (record): P.J. Fleck (50-34, 7 years at Minnesota; 80-56, 11 years overall)
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Wisconsin fans don’t particularly like Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, but at least he’s helped to bring this rivalry back in a big way. Wisconsin snapped a two-game losing streak to Minnesota with a 28-14 victory in the regular-season finale last November to ensure the Badgers would finish Fickell’s first season with a winning record. Off the field, the programs have engaged in some competitive recruiting battles, which include the Gophers flipping Badgers 2025 defensive line commit Torin Pettaway. Even if there are better teams Wisconsin will play, it’s tough to beat the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
3. Iowa
Date: Nov. 2 at Kinnick Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 10-4, 7-2 (1st, Big Ten West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Iowa: 49-46-2
Last meeting: Oct. 14, 2023; Iowa 15-6
Coach (record): Kirk Ferentz (196-119, 25 years at Iowa; 208-140, 28 years overall)
Wisconsin’s woeful performance at home against Iowa last season highlighted how far away the Badgers’ Air Raid offense was from meeting Phil Longo’s expectations (or anyone else’s, for that matter). It didn’t help that quarterback Tanner Mordecai broke his throwing hand during the game. It also didn’t help that nobody blocked All-American safety Cooper DeJean off the edge on a critical fourth down red zone play. Iowa managed to win 10 games last season despite having the worst offense in the country because its defense remained stout. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz has since been fired and replaced by Tim Lester. Wisconsin has lost consecutive games in the series for the first time since 2008-09, and winning at Kinnick Stadium is rarely easy.
2. Oregon
Date: Nov. 16 at Camp Randall Stadium, time TBD
2023 record: 12-2, 8-1 (2nd, Pac-12)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Oregon: 3-3
Last meeting: Jan. 1, 2020; Oregon 28-27 in the Rose Bowl
Coach (record): Dan Lanning (22-5, 2 years at Oregon)
For all the buzz Alabama’s arrival at Camp Randall Stadium will bring, Oregon very well could be the best team Wisconsin faces in 2024. Lanning’s team is coming off a 12-win season and a Fiesta Bowl blowout victory and is simply reloading. Oregon added transfer quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore, as well as Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart. Running back Jordan James is back after scoring 11 touchdowns and leading the Pac-12 with 7.1 yards per carry. Wisconsin’s defense figures to have a monumental task in slowing the Ducks.
1. Alabama
Date: Sept. 14 at Camp Randall Stadium, 11 a.m. CT
2023 record: 12-2, 8-0 (1st, SEC West)
Wisconsin’s all-time record vs. Alabama: 1-1
Last meeting: Sept. 5, 2015; Alabama 35-17
Coach (record): Kalen DeBoer (0-0 in 1st year at Alabama; 104-12 in 9 years overall)
This would have been an epic Camp Randall Stadium night game, right up there with the best atmospheres in recent memory. Instead, it earned the Big Noon Saturday treatment from Fox. That decision aside, the game is as exciting as any on the schedule. It’s a different Alabama team with Nick Saban retiring during the offseason. Yet it’s still a formidable team likely to open the season ranked in the top 10. Fickell will have an opportunity to earn a signature win during his brief time at Wisconsin.
(Top photo: Tork Mason / USA Today)