Wisconsin Football Ranked Surprisingly High in ESPN’s SP+ Metric

ESPN College Football writer Bill Connelly unveiled his highly anticipated pre-spring SP+ rankings. In said rankings, the Wisconsin Badgers football team came in a bit higher than expected.

The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off a disappointing first season of the Luke Fickell era, where they finished 7-6. That underwhelming on-field product set in motion some notable changes this offseason.

It became clear the Badgers needed to improve depth and get more athletic on defense to fit their system better. The staff responded by reeling in a top 10 transfer portal class, per On3.

Some of the Wisconsin football transfer additions expected to make an immediate impact are Tyler Van Dyke, Jaheim Thomas, Tackett Curtis, RJ Delancy, Leon Lowery, Elijah Hills and John Pius. 

But the Big Ten takes on a higher life form this coming season, and ESPN’s first round of pre-spring SP+ rankings reflect their network having a higher opinion of the Wisconsin Badgers than the Vegas Sportsbooks. 

Wisconsin Football Ranked in Top 25 of SP+ Rankings

Although the Wisconsin football program didn’t have many inspiring moments on the field last season, ESPN’s SP+ model has the Badgers ranked No. 25 to start the spring.

Keep in mind that SP+ projections are based on three primary factors: returning production, recent recruiting, and a team’s recent history to provide a nuanced forecast of what’s to come.

Connelly’s SP+ rating positions the Wisconsin Badgers with an offensive rating of No. 78 and a formidable defensive rating of No. 7.

For reference, that signals a prediction of a marginally improved offense and the defense holding steady, considering that’s the same spot they finished last year.

Notably, Wisconsin football boasts a respectable No. 20 ranking in returning production, with 71% of its roster set to return to action. Still, given the gauntlet of a schedule, I am entering 2024 with a tempered outlook.

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