- Head Coach: Luke Fickell (third season)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Strength of Schedule: 1st
- PFF Projected Win Total: 5.1
- FanDuel Win Total: 5.5
2024 Recap
Luke Fickell arrived at Wisconsin with high expectations after taking Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff — the first Group of Five school to do so. But through two seasons, he’s still finding his footing with a 13-13 record, including a 5-7 mark in 2024 that ended the Badgers’ 22-year bowl streak.
The road won’t get any easier in 2025, as Wisconsin faces the nation’s toughest schedule, per PFF’s power rankings. A strong secondary and offensive line anchors the team, but questions remain on offense and across the rest of the defense.
Biggest Strength: Secondary
Wisconsin ranked 20th in the Power Four with an 83.9 coverage grade last season and returns four of five starters in the secondary, including standouts in safety Preston Zachman and cornerback Ricardo Hallman.
Biggest Weakness: Front seven
Only two players in Wisconsin’s front seven earned 70.0-plus PFF grades in 2024, and both are gone. The Badgers brought in a few projected starters from the transfer portal and will need them to elevate a run defense that ranked 120th and a pass rush that finished 67th in PFF grade.
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