Can Wisconsin Badgers Skyrocket to Glory? The Shocking Best-Case Scenario for 2025 Amid a Grueling Football Schedule!

Despite a demanding schedule, predicting Wisconsin Badgers’ 2025 season remains challenging, especially with numerous tough opponents on the horizon. While some teams aim for an undefeated run, the Badgers’ tough football calendar makes even reaching 10 wins seem almost impossible.

Determining a realistic, optimistic outlook is difficult, but CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli has analyzed every Big Ten team and projects the best-case scenario for Wisconsin at eight wins. His optimistic prediction, an 8-4 record, hinges on improved teamwork and offensive cohesion, particularly with transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr., who shows signs of reliability despite not being spectacular. The real breakthrough, however, comes on defense, where the unit begins to meet the high expectations set when Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel took over, keeping Wisconsin competitive in nearly every game. Although the Badgers are likely to fall short against powerhouse teams like Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon, returning to their traditional form gives hope for a strong 2026 playoff push, especially with a lighter schedule ahead.

 

An 8-4 record would mark a significant improvement from last season’s finish. On the flip side, Fornelli’s worst-case scenario predicts a record even worse than 2024, at just 3-9. In this bleak outlook, QB Billy Edwards Jr. struggles, and the defense shows little progress, leaving Wisconsin vulnerable to superior opponents.

The range of outcomes—from total disaster to a remarkable turnaround—highlights just how pivotal this third year under Luke Fickell will be for the Badgers. No matter what happens, we’re about to learn a lot about this team’s future.