With three games left in the season, the Wisconsin Badgers are expected to make a bowl game this season after an interesting year.
The Badgers entered the season with very high hopes, but received similar projections to what the team accomplished in 2023. The Badgers finished 7-6 last season and fought hard in a bowl game against LSU, but ultimately lost to eventual starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. While the 2024 season has not been exactly the same, the Wisconsin Badgers are expected to finish in a similar bowl after likely securing just one more win.
Currently, the Wisconsin Badgers are expected to play against the TCU Horned Frogs in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. The Horned Frogs are currently in a similar situation, with a 5-4 record and up-and-down performances this season. However, TCU has a very favorable schedule with two out of the final three games coming against the two worst Big 12 Conference teams in Arizona and Oklahoma State.
TCU still must play Cincinnati as well, which very well could be a loss due to how competitive the team has been in wins and losses this season. The Bearcats are arguably two plays away from being 7-1, but lost two close games due to clock management. Both the Wildcats and the Cowboys, however, should be easy wins as the two teams combine for just one conference win.
For the Wisconsin Badgers, unlike the TCU Horned Frogs, the remaining schedule is rather daunting with three teams the Badgers would likely rather not face.
Will the Wisconsin Badgers Secure Bowl Eligibility Given the Remaining Schedule?
First off, the Badgers must face off against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks who just might be the last team Wisconsin wants to face at this moment. Not only would the Badgers like to avoid playing the Ducks due to the play that the team has had recently, but also due to how Wisconsin has played as of late.
The Wisconsin Badgers allowed over 400-yards of total offense including 329-yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Brendan Sullivan had just three incompletions against the Badgers defense, and ran for 58-yards and a score as well. The Hawkeyes averaged 7.7-yards per play against the Badgers defense which is ugly considering previous defensive performances and the inconsistent Iowa offense.
With the Iowa Hawkeyes loss still on the mind, the Oregon Ducks are a team that could truly tear the Badgers defense apart.
The other two games remaining on the schedule for the Wisconsin Badgers could potential be just as bad. The Nebraska Cornhuskers have struggled as of late due to the deteriorating play of the offensive line and freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. However, the Cornhuskers are a dangerous team when the offense gets moving, which seems very possible after the last Wisconsin defensive showing.
Correct. It’s a carbon copy of last year for Wisconsin where they need to beat Nebraska or Minnesota to get to bowl eligibility.
— Big Ten Ted (@BigTenTed) November 3, 2024
The final game of the season will be for Paul Bunyan’s Ax against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a game that always seems to mean more. The Golden Gophers, however, have finally begun to figure things out on offense with quarterback Max Brosmer leading the team. Minnesota is starting to look like a formidable team, and not your mother’s Minnesota Golden Gophers anymore.
While it might be hard for many to envision the Wisconsin Badgers securing bowl eligibility, the likely win seems like it will come against Nebraska. Wisconsin was in the exact same situation last season against the same opponents. Historically speaking, Nebraska lost five games down the stretch last season to fall out of bowl eligibility.
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