Historically speaking, the third season of a coaching regime is seen as a key one for the direction of a program, as the previous two years are spent installing their playbook and building the culture of the program.
It is what makes the 2025 college football season a pivotal one for Wisconsin football under third-year coach Luke Fickell.
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Coming off an underwhelming 5-7 season last year, the Badgers are set to open up the new campaign on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. CT against Miami (OH) at Camp Randall.
REQUIRED READING: How Luke Fickell’s first two seasons compare to past Wisconsin coaches, and his peers across the country
The first big test for the Badgers in 2025 will come in Week 3 when they travel to the heart of SEC country to face No. 8 Alabama, which rolled over Wisconsin 42-10 last season at Camp Randall. The schedule doesn’t get easier from there for Wisconsin, as they have to face Michigan at The Big House, travel to Autzen Stadium to face reigning Big Ten champion No. 7 Oregon and host defending national champion Ohio State.
With a challenge schedule in store for 2025, the Badgers will attempt to make it back to being bowl-eligible after missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2001 last season.
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Can the Badgers bounce back with a winning season in 2025? Here’s how USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg and Jim Sergent predicted Wisconsin will fare in the 2025 college football season:
Wisconsin football record
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Wisconsin football record prediction: 5-7
Myerberg and Sergent don’t see Wisconsin improving from an underwhelming 2024 season. In fact, both are predicting that the Badgers will have the same season as they did a year ago, finishing 5-7. Back-to-back seven-loss seasons and not being in the mix for a Big Ten championship game (or College Football Playoff berth) will certainly begin thinning the patience for Fickell in Madison.
But on the other side, depending on how you look at it, going 5-7 with the schedule that the Badgers are set to play could be looked at as a decent year and a success, especially given there are currently six projected College Football Playoff caliber teams on it.
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REQUIRED READING: Wisconsin Badgers football unveils throwback uniforms ahead of 2025 season
Big Ten football standings prediction
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Wisconsin Big Ten standings prediction: Tied for 13th (3-6 Big Ten record)
In their prediction, Myerberg and Sergent have Wisconsin going 3-6 in Big Ten play and finishing tied for 13th in the conference standings. Here’s a full look at how USA TODAY predicted the Big Ten standings will play out this season:
“Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon are clearly ahead of the pack in the Big Ten, though the league could have another three or four teams fighting for nine or more wins and the playoff late in the season. The Buckeyes would still make the playoff with losses to Texas, Penn State and one other Big Ten opponent. Any small stumble from these favorites could open a door for Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska or Iowa.“
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1. Penn State: 11-1, 8-1 Big Ten
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T-2. Ohio State: 9-3, 7-3 Big Ten
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T-2. Oregon: 10-2, 7-3 Big Ten
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T-4. Illinois: 9-3, 6-3 Big Ten
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T-4. Nebraska: 9-3, 6-3 Big Ten
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T-4. Michigan: 8-4, 6-3 Big Ten
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T-4. Indiana: 9-3, 6-3 Big Ten
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T-8. Iowa: 8-4, 5-4 Big Ten
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T-8. USC: 7-5, 5-4 Big Ten
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T-11. Minnesota: 7-5, 4-5 Big Ten
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T-11. UCLA: 6-6, 4-5 Big Ten
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T-13. Wisconsin: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten
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T-13. Rutgers: 6-6, 3-6 Big Ten
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T-13. Michigan State: 6-6, 3-6 Big Ten
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16. Maryland: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten
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17. Northwestern: 3-9, 1-8 Big Ten
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18. Purdue: 2-10, 0-9 Big Ten
REQUIRED READING: Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell in critical stage of trying to live up to expectations
Wisconsin football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at the 2025 Wisconsin football schedule:
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Thursday, Aug. 28: vs. Miami (OH)
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Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Middle Tennessee
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Saturday, Sept. 13: at No. 8 Alabama
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Saturday, Sept. 20: vs. Maryland *
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Saturday, Oct. 4: at No. 14 Michigan *
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Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. Iowa *
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Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. No. 2 Ohio State *
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Saturday, Oct. 25: at No. 7 Oregon *
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Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Washington *
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Saturday, Nov. 15: at No. 19 Indiana *
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Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. No. 12 Illinois *
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Saturday, Nov. 29: at Minnesota *
* Denotes Big Ten game
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football record: How Badgers are predicted to finish
