Why Navigating the 2023 Wisconsin Football Schedule Could Be Difficult

Madison, Wis. – With all eyes on the 2023 football season after a stellar recruiting period, the Wisconsin football team will have their hands full.

Wisconsin has the chance to start the 2023 season with three out-of-conference games before playing the Big Ten. This upcoming season, the Badgers will be put to the test against a list of competitive opponents. Some of their opponents this year share the same dynamic of having a new-look team, which will make those games even more difficult.

Are The Wisconsin Badgers Ready For A Tough Upcoming Schedule?

After an extremely successful off-season of recruiting victories, the Wisconsin Badgers are expected to translate the results onto the field. For the Badgers, this will begin during their first game of the season against Buffalo at Camp Randall Stadium. During the first showing for the new-look offense in their Spring game, the team struggled at times. It appeared as though the Luke Fickell experiment may have a rocky start until the recruiting success overshadowed a short on-field sample.

The reality of the Spring game for the Badgers is simple, yet complex. The first showing for the Badgers was certainly not what they had expected for themselves nor did the fans expect it. However, it was the first time many of the Wisconsin players received a chance to play with each other. Now the Wisconsin football team is nearing their first real chance to play alongside each other starting against Buffalo.

The First Three: Buffalo, Washington State, Georgia Southern

A season ago Buffalo went 7-6 before going on to win the Camellia Bowl against Georgia Southern. Buffalo will be returning their leading rusher and their starting quarterback as well. Last year, Buffalo gave up an average of five yards per rush, which could be a key to the Badgers success. The next opponent for the Wisconsin football team shares a similar weakness. The Washington State Cougars beat Wisconsin 17-14 last season when the Badgers struggled to execute on offense.

The final out-of-conference game for the Badgers will come against Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern is coming off a Bowl loss to Buffalo last season. By far, the Wisconsin football team will be the toughest test for the Eagles. The Eagles could also prove to be the toughest test for the Badgers due to their play-style. The Eagles will return three of the top five leading tacklers after allowing 29 touchdowns on the ground a year ago. Georgia Southern defended the air well, allowing 256.85 yards per game through the air. Wisconsin will have to take down an experienced team to beat the Eagles.

The Initial Wisconsin Football Tests: Purdue, Rutgers, Iowa, Illinois

A season ago, the Wisconsin football team went 1-2 against Purdue, Iowa, and Illinois. Wisconsin scored 55 points and allowed 82 as Iowa and Illinois dismantled the Badgers. In total against those two teams, Wisconsin recorded 53 rushing yards on 55 rushes across both games. The team also fumbled five times and lost two of them over the course of the games. The Wisconsin Badgers offense could not get anything going against either team and ultimately lost each game because of their offensive play.

Against Purdue the Wisconsin Badgers football team was able to produce much different results as the team recorded 381 yards of offense on 50 plays. The Badgers play against Purdue is what they will need to win during this tough four game stretch. For the offense, the team needs to be efficient and effective in order to compete against tough defenses. The Badgers made the most of their plays against Purdue, which ultimately propelled the team towards a win. The same will need to be done in order to secure wins against Illinois and Iowa this time around.

The Next Set: Ohio State, Indiana, Northwestern

Between Ohio State, Indiana, and Northwestern, there is one clear challenge for the Badgers. The Ohio State Buckeyes will receive yet another chance to play against their alumni, coach Luke Fickell. Ohio State thrashed the Badgers 52-21 a season ago as the Wisconsin football team struggled to compete on either side of the ball. The Buckeyes scored on multiple broken plays as they dominated the Badgers. With new staff, new recruits, and new playbooks, the Badgers are eager for a different result in their toughest game of the season.

Both Indiana and Northwestern had some of their worst seasons in recent history. Northwestern shocked Nebraska in the opening week of the season, and then lost the next 11 games in a row. The Wildcats have not changed much in this short period of time and could be just as bad this upcoming season. Indiana dealt with major injuries plaguing their team last year, but kept their losses competitive. The Wisconsin football team will have to play their best football even against some of the worst teams they will face during the year.

The Finishing Touches: Nebraska, Minnesota

The final two tests of the regular season for the Badgers will come against Nebraska and Minnesota. Hopefully, by this point the Badgers will have secured their ticket for post-season play. However, these two games may still become serious tests for the Badgers. Starting with Nebraska, the Wisconsin football team will be tasked with going up against one of the biggest question marks in college football. A year ago, the Scott Frost experiment was coming to a close as faith was put into the Corn Huskers for another season. Nebraska did not get anywhere near their expectations last season. Nebraska has added former five-stars MJ Sherman and Arik Gilbert is hopes of transforming their team.

For Minnesota, the team also stands as a question mark for different reasons. Coach PJ Fleck has not been able to develop Minnesota into the consistent football powerhouse he had hoped to yet. Minnesota has strung together multiple strong recruiting classes now, so perhaps the 2023 season will be the breakout for the Gophers.

With the Wisconsin football team finishing the year off against two major question marks, the Badgers will have to prepare for the strongest possible opponents.

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