As the Wisconsin Badgers sit at 2-6 (0-5), there has been little to celebrate during their 2025 season. The Badgers are in the midst of their worst start since 1990, a season in which they finished 1-10, losing their last nine games. Wisconsin has lost their last six games this year, each of them by at least two scores.
Of course, Wisconsin has played one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), it’s actually the hardest. The Badgers’ season began optimistically with a shutout win over Miami (OH) and a 42-10 domination of Middle Tennessee State. Since then, Wisconsin has lost six consecutive games, including tough losses to top-ranked teams like Alabama, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State and Oregon as well as a surprising home defeat to Maryland.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much easier for the battered and beaten Badgers, who face two more top 25 teams, including No. 2 Indiana. The question on fans’ minds now is whether Wisconsin, under head coach Luke Fickell, can spare themselves this historic losing slide and secure at least one victory, if not more.
Nov. 8: vs. No. 24 Washington
Just two years removed from a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, Washington has returned to the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since the night they lost to Michigan 34-13. While they may not have first round NFL talent like Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze, the Huskies have been more than solid this season.
Led by sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr., Washington puts up 30.6 points per game and 413.1 yards per game. Williams has progressed nicely in his second year, throwing for 2117 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, all while maintaining incredible accuracy, completing 73.1% of his passes. That’s good for second in the Big Ten, just behind OSU’s Julian Sayin. Much of Williams’s looks go to wide receiver Denzel Boston, a redshirt junior, who ranks 7th in the Big Ten for receiving yards (668) and 4th in touchdowns (seven). Running back Jonah Coleman’s 13 rushing touchdowns leads the conference as well.
Wisconsin’s hope relies on its defense as they look to be regaining their footing over the past couple games, with true freshman linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano taking the charge.
Defensively, the Huskies allow just 107.0 yards on the ground (19th in CFB), but their secondary has struggled mightily. Number two cornerback transfer Tacario Jones has been underwhelming. Opponents pass 55.78% of the time, which is the second most in all of CFB. Lucky for them, Wisconsin’s passing attack is invisible.
These teams have faced off four times in their history, with Washington winning all four. The last matchup was in 1992, where Wisconsin fell 27-10.
With their only two losses coming against Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State, Washington is likely going to handle the Badgers with ease. They are also coming off a win against once ranked No. 23 Illinois. Still, Washington is a former Pac 12 team, and Wisconsin has played that demographic closely since they joined the Big Ten, including a 21-7 loss to No. 6 Oregon two weeks ago. It may be closer than we think, but the Huskies will most likely leave Camp Randall with a win.
Score Prediction: WASH 24, WISC 6
Nov. 15: at No. 2 Indiana
From 2010-2017 (five games), the Badgers saw Indiana as a tune-up game on their schedule, averaging 60 ppg including a 83-20 beat down in 2010. But the Hoosiers are currently 1 of 2 undefeated Big Ten teams, at 9-0 and 6-0 in the conference, ranked second in the country. This road game will be the toughest game of Wisconsin’s schedule, where offense and defense have to be at their very best to stand a chance of even scoring. Given the current offensive and defensive struggles, the chance of an upset here is very slim.
Stats may not be needed to show how lopsided this game may be. Indiana is the 3rd in scoring offense in the country, averaging 43.1 ppg, and 4th in total yards, averaging 483.5 YPG. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is currently a Heisman favorite and leads the Big Ten with 25 passing touchdowns. Running backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby have both rushed for over 600 yards, and wide receiver Elijah Serratt leads the conference in receiving touchdowns with 10.
Ranked No. 20 coming into the season, many didn’t picture Indiana repeating the success they had in 2024. But for them to get even better proves Curt Cignetti has turned this program around for good.
Score Prediction: IND 44, WISC 10
Nov. 22: vs. Illinois
At 6-3 (3-3), the Illini’s schedule is a monster of its own. Illinois took down No. 20 USC 34-32 in Week 5, but lost to No. 2 Indiana, No. 1 OSU and No. 24 Washington. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has regressed a bit after a strong 2024 campaign, but 19 passing touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes isn’t too shabby. Wide receiver Hank Beatty’s 730 receiving yards rank 3rd in the Big Ten as well.
Illinois’ effective running game will put pressure on Wisconsin’s defense, but defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has shown major improvements against the run. Relying on the energy brought by fans at home and having a confident offense that focuses on minimizing turnovers can definitely counter Illinois’s defense, too.
Their defense isn’t the best, allowing just under 30 ppg and 400.8 ypg, but the Badger offense poses little threat. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 45-38 with seven ties. Former UW head coach Bret Bielema will likely leave with a revenge win.
Score Prediction: ILLI 35, WISC 13
Nov. 29: at Minnesota
When the clock expires on Nov. 29, the streets of Madison will celebrate. Not because they took back the Axe, but because this pitiful season will have concluded. Of the last four games, Minnesota is the most winnable, but we have to remember how poor the Badgers have performed against Big Ten competition (0-5).
On offense, the Gophers are averaging just 18.5 ppg (115th in CFB). Still, they are 6-3 this year, beating Nebraska 24-6, who were ranked No. 25 at the time. Like Wisconsin, they got manhandled by Iowa, losing by 38. Wisconsin lost by only 37!
Are the Badgers better than Minnesota? Probably not. But this game finally means something. Bringing the axe back home is vital for the program. If they don’t, even more players will depart through the portal. If they do, the season ends on a positive note, and some pride is restored to our storied program. Still, it doesn’t look like it will happen.
Score Prediction: MINN 16, WISC 10
Fickell, with the support from Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh, has promised to rebuild the program regardless of the difficult circumstances ahead in 2026. Focusing on “toughness, togetherness and identity” rather than quick fixes, the Badgers under Fickell could hope to win at most two of the last four games — most likely Illinois and Minnesota — if everything is played right. With one home advantage and one rivalry, the need for strong performances is a given.
