The Wisconsin Badgers now know their opponents for the upcoming season. The Big Ten has released its schedule for the 2020-21 season.
The Big Ten announced earlier this summer that no team would play a non-conference opponent due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Since then, the Badgers haven’t had a set schedule until this morning. While there will be some changes to their schedule, a majority of the Badgers’ schedule will remain the same.
Here is a look at the complete Big Ten football schedule:
The football schedule starts as early as the weekend of Sept. 5 with final games slated for Nov. 21 to align with academic calendars. The Big Ten Football Championship Game remains scheduled for Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium, though it could be moved as late as Dec. 19. pic.twitter.com/vWp3OSifBc
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) August 5, 2020
Wisconsin will pick up an extra game with Rutgers in Week 12. They will also pick up an extra bye this season, so they will have a bye in Weeks 7, 10, and 13 before the Big Ten Championship game.
Wisconsin Schedule Preview
Taking a quick look at the schedule overall, it looks like Wisconsin has a pretty manageable schedule this season, although they are on the road for two out of the first three games. Ryan Field at Northwestern is always a seemingly tough game for the Badgers. Then they get to go to Nebraska and play a Cornhusker team that always has high aspirations for their season.
After that, they will host Minnesota, a game that is usually one of the last games Wisconsin plays. This will be a huge game early for the Badgers, as Minnesota also has a similar schedule to Wisconsin. Neither team plays Ohio St or Penn St. The winner of the Big Ten West could easily come out of this Week 4 matchup.
The Badgers then follow that game up with a trip to Maryland for a crossover game and then host Purdue in Week 6. Both of these games should be winnable games. If Wisconsin can head into the bye in Week 7 with a 6-0 record, that would put them in the driver’s seat for the division.
After the bye, the Badgers will host Illinois then go to the Big House and play Michigan in Week 9. After the Michigan game, the Badgers get another bye before they take on Iowa in Iowa City. Besides the Minnesota game, this will be Wisconsin’s next biggest game. Iowa has a more difficult schedule than both Wisconsin and Minnesota. They play the Gophers in Week 3 and will also have to play Penn St before their matchup with Wisconsin. Then, after Wisconsin, they have to play Ohio St so they may not be in the running for the Big Ten West title.
Following the Iowa game, Wisconsin will host Rutgers to finish off the season. I think the schedule will give the Badgers a good shot to win the Big Ten West again. Minnesota will likely be the biggest competitor, making their early matchup even more important.
The release of the Big Ten schedule is exciting because it means we are getting closer to football. In fact, it was also announced that teams can start practice as early as Friday.
Big Ten announces that teams can open camp on Friday. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 5, 2020
With the season (hopefully) beginning on Friday, there’s a reason for excitement for Badger fans.
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