There was a time not very long ago when the Wisconsin Badgers were Big Ten favorites and gave Ohio State a run for their money or outright beat them, especially in Camp Randall. Over the last few years, Wisconsin slowly declined (by Badger’s standards), going 4-3 in 2020, 9-4 in 2021, and started 2-3 in 2022 before firing Head Coach Paul Chryst. Wisconsin rocked the college football world by hiring former Cincinnati Bearcats coach Luke Fickell. Now in his second year, the expectations are growing for the Badgers to return to the glory years brought forth by Brett Bielema and Barry Alvarez.
A Change of Scenery
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Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke transferred in from Miami and is hoping a change of scenery and program will help him reach his maximum potential. A good fit for Fickell’s air raid offense, the former three-star quarterback is destined to have a career year. Van Dyke, formerly from Connecticut, told the media:
“Totally different vibe here, more of a college feel than Miami was. Coming from Connecticut, it’s kind of the same type of vibe, weather-wise and living style.”
Van Dyke is in a battle for the starting job, although he is expected to beat out redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke who started three games for the Badgers after Tanner Mordecai got injured. Locke threw for five touchdowns and one pick with 777 yards and a completion percentage of 50%. Luke Fickell talked about the challenge Van Dyke is up against:
“Working with a guy that’s been in the offense, that knows it like the back of his hand in Braedyn, I think that … puts a little bit more pressure on him (Van Dyke), but I think he’s done a great job, I think we’re going to see him kind of continue to come out of his shell, and not just as a football player, but as a leader as well.”
The Schedule
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Western Michigan, August 30th
This isn’t the P.J. Fleck Western Michigan that is a fierce opponent. The 2023 Broncos went 4-8, 3-5 in the MAC. This game will be a good game to get Van Dyke acclimated to the offense in an in-game scenario. Wisconsin should breeze through with no problems.
South Dakota, September 7th
South Dakota isn’t a slouch; the Coyotes went 10-3 last year. They lost to Missouri, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State. In the regular season last year, South Dakota went to North Dakota State and beat them. This could be a trap game for the Badgers because of their visitors in seven days.
Alabama, September 14th
The Tide make their visit to Camp Randall on of the toughest places to play in college football. This is the first major test for Kalen Deboer. This could be a perfect opportunity for Fickell to stake their claim to have a spot in the expanded college football playoff and enter Van Dyke into the Heisman race, especially since Alabama has Georgia on the horizon.
@ USC, September 28th
Coming off a bye, the Badgers take their first road trip to Southern California. If the Badgers are coming off a major upset over Alabama, USC could be in limbo a week removed from what is reasonable to believe is a physical game in Ann Arbor. It is a great possibility that Wisconsin could make it through this unscathed with wins over Alabama and USC.
Purdue, October 5th
Back in Madison, the Wisconsin should make quick work of the Boilermakers. Purdue went 4-8 last year in the first season of Ryan Walters at the helm. Hudson Card the quarterback transfer from Texas is back for another season for Purdue throwing for almost 2400 yards and 15 touchdowns with Purdue last year. Could Card lead the Boilermakers to an improbable upset?
@ Rutgers, October 12th
Greg Schiano is still working to rebuild the Scarlet Knights, entering his fourth season in his second stint, and has been huddled around bowl eligibility since his return. Wisconsin should make quick work of Rutgers in this calmer part of the schedule.
@ Northwestern, October 19th
After an offseason of turmoil for the Wildcats firing Pat Fitzgerald after 16 years as the head coach at the conclusion of a serious hazing investigation just weeks before the season started, Northwestern miraculously went 8-5. This could be a trap game as Wisconsin plays host to Penn State in seven days.
Penn State, October 26th
James Franklin is on the hot seat. Penn State has a great defense, and a great quarterback in Drew Allar there is little reason for Penn State to be a Big Ten favorite. The Badgers winning this game could put the final nail in the coffin for Franklin.
@ Iowa, November 2nd
This will be the toughest road game for Wisconsin. Kinnick Stadium is the place where Big Ten dreams go to die. Iowa has beaten Ohio State and Michigan numerous times in Kinnick when they were top-five teams. This is the most dangerous game for the Badgers in the Big Ten schedule, in which they will likely be favored.
Oregon, November 16th
Coming off a much-needed bye and Fickell getting an extra week to work with, this has the potential to be a play-in game for the Big Ten Championship. Oregon has a great coach in Dan Lanning, with Dillon Gabriel transferring in from Oklahoma. Can the Ducks survive a tough road test in their maiden voyage in the Big Ten?
@ Nebraska, November 23rd
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule will be compared to Fickell. They are both big names, and both came into the rebuilding of once-great programs. Fickell won last year’s matchup. Can Rhule respond with an upset win in Lincoln?
Minnesota, November 30th
P.J. Fleck’s last attempt to stay as the head coach of the Gophers? Fleck had a big year in 2019, going 11-2. Last year, Minnesota went 6-7 (3-6 in the Big Ten). If Minnesota is in the midst of another bad year, Fleck’s job will be on the line in this game.
Can Wisconsin Do It?
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Wisconsin certainly has the ability to run the gauntlet. The bye weeks fall in good spots for them, all of their tougher games are at home where Wisconsin plays great at. The door is open for Wisconsin to be a dark horse for the Big Ten Championship. It is highly dependent on how quickly Van Dyke can acclimate himself to the offense. Running the table for the Badgers is improbable but not impossible.
About The Author
Dillon Hildreth is a writer for Total Apex and a lifelong fan of Football with his favorite teams being the New England Patriots and the Georgia Bulldogs. Dillon is also a fan of Motorsports Red Bull in Formula One and William Byron in NASCAR. You can catch Dillon Stream F1, NASCAR, and other video games and side casts on Twitch.
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