Where Wisconsin football's Week 1 opponent landed in MAC preseason coaches poll
The opener will be Wisconsin's third straight against a MAC opponent. The Badgers defeated Buffalo 38-17 to open the 2023 season, then triumphed over Western Michigan 28-14 to open 2024.
The Miami (OH) matchup will open what is a gauntlet 2025 schedule for Luke Fickell's program. Following a Week 2 contest against Middle Tennessee State, Wisconsin travels to Alabama (No. 3 in ESPN's Football Power Index) in Week 3, visits Michigan (No. 17) in Week 6, hosts Iowa (No. 39) and Ohio State (No. 4) in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, visits Oregon (No. 6) in Week 9, hosts Washington (No. 27) in Week 11, then closes the season at Indiana (No. 31) in Week 12, vs. Illinois (No. 44) in Week 13 and at Minnesota (No. 43) in Week 14.
Week 1 vs. Miami (OH), Week 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State and Week 5 vs. Maryland appear to be the only lighter matchups on the schedule. That is, light in comparison to the rest of the team's opponents. Miami (OH) is still a formidable MAC team -- it recently slotted in at No. 2 in the conference's preseason coaches poll.
However, while the second-best MAC team entering the season, the RedHawks rank No. 79 nationally in ESPN's FPI and No. 96 in SP+. Anything less than a decisive victory would be a disappointment for a Wisconsin team with expectations of a resurgence entering the season.
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