Key Takeaways
- The Wisconsin Badgers are projected to finish 13th out of 14 teams in the Big Ten, edging up from a tie for 14th last season.
- Only sophomore linebacker Mason Posa earned preseason all‑conference recognition, receiving an honorable‑mention nod.
- Ohio State and Oregon dominate the preseason polls, occupying the top two spots in the vote count.
- Predictions indicate a lighter schedule for Wisconsin, with several projected opponents—including Michigan State, Rutgers, Maryland, and Purdue—expected to finish behind the Badgers.
- The Badgers’ toughest matchups will likely be against USC at home (Oct 24) and Penn State on the road to open Big Ten play (Sept 26).
- USA TODAY NETWORK’s poll differs from Cleveland.com’s estimate of a 12th‑place finish, highlighting divergent analyst perspectives.
— Overview —
The USA TODAY NETWORK released its preseason Big Ten football rankings on July 27, 2026, projecting the Wisconsin Badgers to finish 13th in the conference. This would represent a modest improvement over the previous season, when Wisconsin tied for 14th with Rutgers. The poll, which also listed the conference’s preseason all‑conference team, underscores a growing consensus that the Badgers are still in the lower tier of Big Ten competitiveness despite aggressive roster upgrades through the transfer portal during the Luke Fickell era.
— Predicted Conference Finish —
According to the network’s rankings, Ohio State secured the most first‑place votes (11) and is projected to finish atop the conference, followed closely by Oregon (5 first‑place votes). The complete predicted order of finish places Wisconsin behind traditional powerhouses such as Indiana, USC, Michigan, Penn State, Washington, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, UCLA, and ahead of Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Purdue. The placement suggests that the Badgers are expected to sit in the bottom half of the league for the third consecutive season, albeit a spot higher than the prior year’s tie for 14th.
— Conference Rankings and Vote Distribution —
The poll enumerated all 14 Big Ten teams with their respective vote tallies, though exact vote counts beyond the top two were not disclosed. Ohio State led with 11 first‑place votes, Oregon collected five, and the remaining programs—including Indiana, USC, Michigan, Penn State, Washington, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, UCLA, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Purdue—rounded out the order. Such a distribution illustrates a clear hierarchy where traditional contenders dominate preseason expectations while newer entrants, like Wisconsin, are projected to lag behind.
— Key Player Highlights —
A notable element of the preseason all‑conference team was the inclusion of sophomore linebacker Mason Posa as an honorable‑mention selection. Posa was the Badgers’ sole representative on the squad, reflecting limited national recognition for Wisconsin’s defensive talent. Last season, Posa led the team in tackles and earned third‑team all‑conference honors from the coaches, complemented by an honorable‑mention nod from the media. His recognition is the only preseason accolade for Wisconsin, emphasizing a lack of marquee names on the all‑conference lists.
— Schedule Implications —
The projected rankings also inform the Badgers’ upcoming schedule. Four of Wisconsin’s conference opponents—Michigan State (home Oct 3), Rutgers (home Nov 7), Maryland (away Nov 14), and Purdue (away Nov 21)—are slated to finish behind the Badgers in the predicted order. Consequently, these games may offer opportunities for Wisconsin to secure wins and improve its standing. Conversely, the schedule features two marquee matchups against higher‑ranked teams: a home game versus USC on Oct 24 and a road contest at Penn State to open Big Ten play on Sept 26. These contests are expected to be the toughest tests of the Badgers’ mettle.
— Historical Context —
Wisconsin’s projected finish reflects a trend of underperformance in the Big Ten over the past several seasons. Despite substantial activity in the transfer portal—a hallmark of the Fickell era—the program has yet to translate those additions into a competitive edge as evidenced by the preseason poll. The Badgers’ historical standing has hovered near the bottom of the conference, and the latest predictions reinforce the narrative that the team still requires significant development before being regarded as a mid‑tier contender.
— Comparison with Other Predictions —
While USA TODAY NETWORK’s poll places Wisconsin at 13th, Cleveland.com independently forecasts a 12th‑place finish for the Badgers. This slight disparity underscores the volatility of preseason projections and the varying methodologies employed by different media outlets. Both forecasts, however, agree that Wisconsin will not be among the conference’s elite and will likely occupy a lower‑tier position for the foreseeable future.
— Season Outlook and Challenges —
The Badgers enter the upcoming season with optimism rooted in roster bolstering through transfers, yet the preseason prognostications temper expectations. Key challenges include integrating new talent, maintaining defensive consistency, and breaking through against traditional powerhouses. The limited preseason recognition for individual players, highlighted by Mason Posa’s honorable‑mention status, suggests that the team lacks widely acknowledged stars to drive national conversation.
— Conclusion —
Overall, the USA TODAY NETWORK preseason poll paints a picture of a Wisconsin Badgers program on the cusp of modest improvement but still entrenched in the lower echelons of the Big Ten. With Ohio State and Oregon leading the pack, and with only a single player earning any preseason all‑conference mention, the Badgers must navigate a demanding schedule and capitalize on opportunities against weaker opponents to shift the narrative toward upward mobility in the coming season.
