The Wisconsin Badgers have one of the toughest schedules in the country heading into the 2025 season, scheduling a tough non-conference game, while facing several of the top Big Ten teams.
That has raised questions about what Wisconsin’s ceiling can be in 2025, as the Badgers are going through several major changes to their own personnel.
The groundwork for success is there. Wisconsin is going back to its roots offensively, implementing a more run-heavy approach under new offensive coordinator Jeff
Grimes. To complement that style, they have a quality offensive line and young, hungry running backs ready to break out.
But, they still have questions about the passing game and will be down a key lineman with left tackle Kevin Heywood out for the year.
Defensively, the Badgers are getting bigger up front, looking to better stop the run after facing serious troubles in 2024. However, that puts more stress on the secondary, which is undoubtedly weaker with the recent loss of Nyzier Fourqurean.
Plus, their linebackers are unproven in coverage, while it’s not clear if the influx of bodies will actually improve their defensive line up front. Not to mention, it may be hard to get sacks with their current group.
So, that brings us back to our original question: what is Wisconsin’s ceiling in 2025?
Well, we asked the public in our weekly SB Nation Reacts post, and the results were interesting.
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29 percent of fans believe that only six wins is the ceiling for 2025. That outcome is a very realistic one, as Wisconsin has tough matchups with Alabama, Oregon, Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa.
Not to mention contests against Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota, where Wisconsin will probably be underdogs heading into the season. Even Wisconsin’s “easier” games on the schedule aren’t really that “easy”.
After that, 27 percent of the fans believe eight wins is the ceiling for Wisconsin. That was the outcome I shared in my thoughts last week, with the Badgers stealing a key game or two, while doing well in rivalry games.
25 percent believe that seven wins is the ceiling for this program, while less than 20 percent believe that nine wins or higher is the ceiling. So, it seems most agree that Wisconsin’s ceiling falls in the six-to-eight win range.
FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the Badgers with -170 odds to fall under their win total of 5.5 for the upcoming year. So, will they actually get to their ceiling? That’s the question that will dictate the success of their 2025 season.
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