Countdown to Kickoff Day 32: #19 Wisconsin Badgers

I just know Wisconsin fans are looking at this schedule and saying, “if we just beat Ohio State we can make the College Football Playoffs.” To be honest, if I were a Badger fan I would be saying this as well. In Luke Fickell’s first year in Madison he has an extremely favorable schedule where his toughest game, by far, is a home game against Ohio State. They may be the team where everyone at the end of the year is saying “but who did they play?'' when the committee is deciding whether or not they should put a 10-2 Wisconsin team in the playoffs.

Even though the schedule is easy and they may not get credit from the haters, this team is legit.

Coaching- They bring in Fickell at head coach who was wildly successful at Cincinnati, Phil Longo who was the OC at UNC who helped Sam Howell break school records and his offense produced many 1,000 yard receivers and rushers, and Mike Tressel will run the 3-3-5 defense like a pro continuing Wisconsin’s dominance on the defensive side of the ball.

Obviously, the hiring of Fickell was the big news in Madison this year, but I think Phil Longo’s impact on the offense will be just as impactful to the program. For years and years Wisconsin has run it down your throat and been very good at it. But being one dimensional is being one dimensional, and that's what they have been and that's what has held them back. Longo will make this offense multi- dimensional and QB Tanner Mordecai, who threw for over 7,000 yards and 72 TDs at SMU in two years, will provide experience and a ton of skill that will make it easy to get this offense going early and often. Toss in Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi in the backfield, you have an offense that no defenses want to see on Saturday.

The defense will have a new leader on the sidelines. Jim Leonhard will no longer be the coordinator and Mike Tressel will take the headset for the Badgers this year. They will still be at the top of the Big Ten because of who is returning and the recruits and transfers they will be bringing in. Nothing to worry about here for the Wisconsin faithful.

Prediction: I think the easier schedule will hurt them. I can see them losing two games in the regular season, then losing again in the Big Ten championship game, and missing out on the CFP because of their three losses and poor strength of schedule. I like this team and think they will be fun to watch for the first time in a while. 9-3.

How Many Games Will Wisconsin Win In 2023?

• 9 or more
• 8 or less