The 2025 Wisconsin football schedule has been released, and it features a challenging slate of opponents. The Badgers will open the season at home against Kent State on August 30th. They will then travel to Notre Dame on September 6th for a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. Wisconsin will return home for its Big Ten opener against Minnesota on September 13th. The Badgers will also face off against Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Iowa, and Nebraska during the regular season. The schedule concludes with a home game against Illinois on November 29th.
Wisconsin is coming off of a disappointing 2022 season, in which they finished with a 6-7 record. However, the Badgers have a lot of talent returning in 2023, and they are expected to be competitive in the Big Ten West. The Badgers will be led by quarterback Graham Mertz, who is entering his third season as a starter. Mertz has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has also been inconsistent at times. If Mertz can take the next step in his development, the Badgers could be a surprise team in 2023.
The Badgers’ defense is also expected to be strong in 2023. The Badgers return nine starters from a defense that ranked among the top 25 in the country in 2022. The Badgers are also expected to get a boost from the addition of several talented transfers, including defensive end Nick Herbig from Oklahoma and safety Titus Leo from Wagner. With a talented roster and a challenging schedule, the Badgers are poised for a bounce-back season in 2023.
Preseason Predictions and Expectations
National Outlook
The Wisconsin Badgers enter the 2025 season with sky-high expectations. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, head coach Luke Fickell has made significant changes to his coaching staff and roster. The Badgers are projected to finish in the top 10 of both the AP and Coaches Polls, and they are considered a legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff.
Key Returners
Wisconsin returns a wealth of talent from its 2024 squad. Quarterback Graham Mertz is back for his senior season, and he is expected to be one of the best passers in the country. Running backs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi are also back, and they form one of the most dynamic backfields in the nation.
On defense, the Badgers return a number of key players, including All-American linebacker Nick Herbig. Wisconsin’s defense is expected to be one of the toughest in the country, and it should be able to generate a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Key Losses
Wisconsin lost a few key players from its 2024 squad, including wide receiver Jake Ferguson and offensive tackle Logan Bruss. However, the Badgers have a number of talented players who are ready to step up and fill those roles.
Tough Schedule
Wisconsin has a tough schedule in 2025, but it also has a lot of opportunities to make a statement. The Badgers open the season against a ranked opponent, and they also have to play road games against Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. However, Wisconsin also has a number of winnable games on its schedule, and it should be able to finish the season with a 10-2 or 11-1 record.
Non-Conference Matchups
The Badgers’ non-conference schedule features a mix of challenging and manageable opponents. They open the season with a home game against FCS opponent Eastern Illinois on September 1st, followed by a trip to Charlotte to face off against the 49ers on September 8th.
Arguably the toughest test of the non-conference schedule comes in Week 3, when Wisconsin travels to Las Vegas to take on Arizona State on September 15th. The Sun Devils, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, are a rising power in the Pac-12 and will pose a significant challenge for the Badgers’ defense.
To round out the non-conference slate, Wisconsin welcomes Eastern Michigan to Camp Randall Stadium on September 22nd and travels to Purdue on September 29th. The Eagles and Boilermakers are both beatable opponents, but they could still provide some competitive games for the Badgers.
| Opponent | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois | September 1st | Camp Randall Stadium |
| at Charlotte | September 8th | Jerry Richardson Stadium |
| at Arizona State | September 15th | Allegiant Stadium |
| Eastern Michigan | September 22nd | Camp Randall Stadium |
| at Purdue | September 29th | Ross-Ade Stadium |
Big Ten East Schedule
The Badgers will face their six Big Ten East opponents in 2025, with home games against Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State and road games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.
Michigan
The Badgers will travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines on October 4th, 2025. Michigan is one of the most storied programs in college football, and the rivalry between the Badgers and Wolverines is one of the most heated in the Big Ten. The Badgers have won the last two meetings between the two teams, but Michigan holds a 53-43-6 advantage in the all-time series.
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Ohio State
The Badgers will host the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 18th, 2025. Ohio State is the defending College Football Playoff champion and is one of the most dominant teams in the country. The Badgers have not defeated the Buckeyes since 2010, and Ohio State holds a 58-18-6 advantage in the all-time series.
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Penn State
The Badgers will travel to State College to face the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 1st, 2025. Penn State is a perennial contender in the Big Ten and has won the conference championship twice in the last five years. The Badgers have won two of the last three meetings between the two teams, but Penn State holds a 10-9 advantage in the all-time series.
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Potential Trap Games
Wisconsin’s 2025 football schedule features several potential trap games that could derail their season. These games are against unranked opponents or teams that are not expected to be major threats, but they could still pose a significant challenge to the Badgers.
Eastern Michigan (Home, September 6)
Eastern Michigan is a member of the Mid-American Conference and went 7-6 in 2022. The Eagles are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Eastern Michigan has a solid offense led by quarterback Austin Smith, and their defense is improving under new head coach Chris Creighton.
New Mexico (Home, September 13)
New Mexico is a member of the Mountain West Conference and went 3-9 in 2022. The Lobos are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. New Mexico has a dynamic offense led by quarterback Sheriron Jones, and their defense is improving under new head coach Danny Gonzales.
South Florida (Away, September 20)
South Florida is a member of the American Athletic Conference and went 1-11 in 2022. The Bulls are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. South Florida has a talented offense led by quarterback Gerry Bohanon, and their defense is improving under new head coach Alex Golesh.
North Dakota (Home, October 11)
North Dakota is a member of the Football Championship Series (FCS) and went 11-2 in 2022. The Fighting Hawks are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. North Dakota has a solid offense led by quarterback Tommy Schuster, and their defense is one of the best in the FCS.
Illinois State (Home, November 1)
Illinois State is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and went 6-5 in 2022. The Redbirds are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Illinois State has a talented offense led by quarterback Zack Annexstad, and their defense is improving under new head coach Brock Spack.
Bradley (Home, November 22)
Bradley is a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) and went 3-8 in 2022. The Braves are not a major threat to Wisconsin, but they could be a dangerous opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Bradley has a solid offense led by quarterback Aidan Voss, and their defense is one of the best in the PFL.
| Opponent | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan | September 6 | Home |
| New Mexico | September 13 | Home |
| South Florida | September 20 | Away |
| North Dakota | October 11 | Home |
| Illinois State | November 1 | Home |
| Bradley | November 22 | Home |
Wisconsin Football 2025 Schedule: A Preseason Preview
The Wisconsin Badgers football team will open the 2025 season at home against the New Mexico State Aggies on September 6. The Badgers will then hit the road for a matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on September 13, before returning home to face the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 20. Wisconsin will travel to Champaign, Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini on September 27, before returning home for a showdown with the Michigan Wolverines on October 4. The Badgers will then face a bye week on October 11, before traveling to East Lansing, Michigan to take on the Michigan State Spartans on October 18. Wisconsin will host the Northwestern Wildcats on October 25, before traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 1. The Badgers will then return home to face the Purdue Boilermakers on November 8, before traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 15. Wisconsin will close out the regular season at home against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 22.
People Also Ask
When is the Wisconsin football 2025 season opener?
The Wisconsin football 2025 season opener is scheduled for September 6, against the New Mexico State Aggies.
Where will the Wisconsin football team play their 2025 home games?
The Wisconsin football team will play their 2025 home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Who are the Wisconsin football team’s opponents in 2025?
The Wisconsin football team’s opponents in 2025 include the New Mexico State Aggies, Oklahoma Sooners, Kent State Golden Flashes, Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Northwestern Wildcats, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Purdue Boilermakers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Penn State Nittany Lions.
