The Wisconsin Badgers face a gauntlet schedule in 2024.
Such is the new reality of the Big Ten Conference, and therefore the new reality of the sport. The Badgers have their traditional tightly-contested regional rivalries with Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska (the last is not tightly-contested but it will be mentioned in that conversation in this context), plus now must also contend with national brands Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Oregon and Washington.
Related: Updated Big Ten 2024 preseason power rankings: Don’t discount Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s 2024 slate includes conference matchups against the three rivalry opponents, plus home battles against Oregon and Penn State. It also includes a nonconference bout with top-ranked Alabama, beginning a two-year home-and-home series.
That all adds up to one of the toughest schedules in the sport this season. If our rankings aren’t enough, the newly-released preseason US LBM Coaches Poll gives a good look at what Wisconsin will face.
Five of the Badgers’ 2024 opponents are ranked, with another receiving votes. That doesn’t even include a strong Rutgers team, the always-tough road trip to Northwestern and the season-ending matchup with Minnesota.
For reference, Wisconsin is in the ‘receiving votes’ category of the poll with 17 total votes. The team also enters the season ranked No. 27 by ESPN SP+ and No. 39 by ESPN FPI.
Several of its opponents are ranked far above those marks entering the season:
Nebraska Cornhuskers (Nov. 23 on the road)
Sep 23, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Ron Brown before the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa Hawkeyes (Nov. 2 on the road)
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 25 (148 votes)
ESPN SP+ Ranking: No. 22 overall
ESPN FPI Ranking: No. 37
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USC Trojans (Sept. 28 on the road)
Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 23 (199 votes)
ESPN SP+ Ranking: No. 21 overall
ESPN FPI Ranking: No. 18
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Penn State Nittany Lions (Oct. 26 at home)
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin leads his team on to the field before the game against Michigan State at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 9 (889 votes)
ESPN SP+ Ranking: No. 7 overall
ESPN FPI Ranking: No. 6
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Alabama Crimson Tide (Sept. 14 at home)
April 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer coaches his team during practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 5 (1,077 votes)
ESPN SP+ Ranking: No. 5 overall
ESPN FPI Ranking: No. 5
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis, and opinions on Roll Tide Wire
Oregon Ducks (Nov. 16 at home)
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning speaks with the official on the sideline during the second quarter against the Liberty Flames in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 3 (1,228 votes)
ESPN SP+ Ranking: No. 3 overall
ESPN FPI Ranking: No. 2
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Publish date : 2024-08-05 05:53:00
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