Veteran college football writer Phil Steele has provided his forecast for the Wisconsin Badgers ahead of the 2025 season. Wisconsin‘s 2024 season was one to forget for Badgers fans, as it finished with a disappointing 5-7 record and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2001. Their losses weren’t particularly close either, as Wisconsin lost […]
Veteran college football writer Phil Steele has provided his forecast for the Wisconsin Badgers ahead of the 2025 season.
Wisconsin‘s 2024 season was one to forget for Badgers fans, as it finished with a disappointing 5-7 record and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2001. Their losses weren’t particularly close either, as Wisconsin lost by double-digits in six of the seven losses.
The slate has been wiped clean heading into 2025, but the Badgers however will face a murderer’s row schedule this season. Along with hosting Iowa, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 12 Illinois at Camp Randall, Wisconsin will travel to No. 8 Alabama, No. 14 Michigan, No. 7 Oregon and No. 20 Indiana. Due to that tough schedule, it could be another tough year for Luke Fickell and the Badgers.
Wisconsin Offense
Wisconsin‘s offense was a sight for sore eyes last season, as it surpassed the 30-point mark just twice (against Purdue and Rutgers) and averaged 14.1 points per game in its seven losses. A massive upgrade will be expected this season with Maryland transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and redshirt-junior running back Cade Yacamelli leading the offense.
“In 2023, head coach Luke Fickell assured me they were not abandoning the run game, just spreading out the field to open up spaces for the run game,” Steele wrote. “The Badgers, despite losing their top two RB’s and QB at times during the year due to injury, rushed for 161 YPG and averaged 381 YPG and 23.5 PPG.”
“Last year, the numbers dropped to 23 PPG and 350 YPG and OC Phil Longo was let go Week 11. The Badgers 22.5 PPG the last two years (lost starting QB both years) is the worst two-year span since 199-92. New OC Jeff Grimes‘ wide zone run is his favorite play and they ran the RVO offense (Reliable Violet Offense at Baylor).
Wisconsin Defense
Wisconsin‘s defense was very middle of the pack last season, as it allowed 23.1 PPG (10th best in Big Ten) and 342.7 YPG (12th best in Big Ten). It however allowed 35 points in four different games last season, as it was no match for the Alabama, USC, Iowa and Nebraska offenses.
“In 2022 with just three starters back (lost eight of top 10 tacklers), my computer called for a step back to 20.4 PPG and 292 YPG – they allowed 20.2 PPG and 303 YPG. In 2023, even in a new defense, my computer called for them to allow 19.4 PPG and they gave up just 20.2 with 344 YPG,” Steele continued.
“Fickell said last year they did not tackle in the spring, but they did in 2024 and they had eight returning starters. My computer called for them to allow 21.3 PPG, and they gave up 23. Wisconsin had just 17 sacks – the fewest in a full season here since 1983.”
Wisconsin 2025 Forecast
“I said that in 2023 they were favored in 11 games, but that in 2024, they might only be favored in four or five,” Steele wrote. After a 2-0 start, they played Alabama even most of the 1H, but (Tyler) Van Dyke was on crutches in the second half and they lost, 42-10. Wisconsin led USC 21-10 at half, but lost. Wisconsin blew out Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern to get to 5-2. But then they hit a killer stretch (Penn State, at Iowa, Oregon, at Nebraska, Minnesota). They led Penn State and Oregon at half, but five straight losses (longest losing streak since 1991) snapped the bowl streak. This year, they face the Big Ten’s toughest schedule, but do have five Big Ten home games.”
Category: General Sports
