{"id":882138,"date":"2026-05-04T10:45:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/882138\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T10:45:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:45:46","slug":"wisconsin-football-in-bottom-half-of-usa-todays-138-team-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/882138\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin football in bottom half of USA TODAY’s 138-team rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Wisconsin Badgers<\/a> fans may not like their ranking, USA TODAY placed Luke Fickell’s squad at No. 76<\/a> after spring practice.<\/p>\n

It’s going to take a lot more than a strong spring showing from someone like Old Dominion<\/a> transfer quarterback Colton Joseph<\/a> to turn things around.<\/p>\n

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Fresh off back-to-back losing seasons, something that’s basically unheard of with this program, Fickell has his work cut out for him. He’s been putting together a stellar class of 2027<\/a>, though those recruits are still a year out.<\/p>\n

Wisconsin, like always, has a difficult schedule ahead. Playing in the Big Ten is never easy, especially when looking at Paul Myerberg’s list and seeing that three of the top six teams are all in the Badgers<\/a> conference.<\/p>\n

Sure, Fickell doesn’t have to worry about the No. 1-ranked team, Ohio State<\/a>, but Wisconsin opens its season at Lambeau Field against a Notre Dame squad Myerberg has sitting at No. 2.<\/p>\n

There are a ton of winnable games on the Badgers’ schedule, but the national media has every right to question just how good they’re going to be after a pair of disastrous seasons.<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football earns No. 76 ranking USA TODAY post-spring ball<\/a><\/p>\n