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Wisconsin football set for premier matchup against Big 12 program in 2028 nonconference
Wisconsin football set for premier matchup against Big 12 program in 2028 nonconference
The Wisconsin Badgers are set to host the Utah Utes on Sept. 16, 2028, at Camp Randall Stadium. The game, originally announced more than four years ago, remains on the schedule, even after several busy years of conference realignment.
Utah, which moved to the Big 12 in 2024, will face Utah Tech on Aug. 31 and Nevada on Sept. 9 to start the 2028 season, preceding a premier nonconference trip to Madison, Wisconsin.
The Badgers and Utes have met on three previous occasions, the most recent being UW's 38-10 victory in the 1996 Copper Bowl. Future Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne rushed 30 times for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the lopsided win. For context, Wisconsin quarterback Mike Samuel completed two of his six total passes.
Wisconsin owns a 2-1 overall record against the Utes, with the Badgers' sole loss coming on Sept. 19, 1987.
In its first season as a member of the Big 12, Utah went 5-7 and failed to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2020. Under Kyle Whittingham, who has maintained head coaching responsibilities since 2005, the Utes have been to 16 bowl games, including a pair of Rose Bowl appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Wisconsin similarly struggled in 2024, finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2001. After starting the 2024 campaign 4-0, Whittingham's group lost seven straight conference matches to fall out of the AP Top 25.
2028 remains three years out, and the state of both programs could change dramatically before they face off. If Luke Fickell continues to struggle with the Badgers, the athletic department could look to make a change. A 2025 gauntlet featuring Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon and Michigan doesn't help his chances of returning the Badgers to Big Ten contention this fall.
With Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. at the helm and new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes calling plays, the Badgers will first focus on defeating the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks in Week 1 of the 2025 season at Camp Randall Stadium.
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