After a disappointing 2024 season that left fans wondering where the fire went, the Wisconsin Badgers are back and ready for a fresh start. Well, now they have a revamped staff, a hungry roster, and one of the most buzzed-about schedules in the Big Ten. It’s safe to say that 2025 could be a turning point in Madison.
But let’s be honest—this schedule isn’t for the faint of heart. With visits to Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor and home dates with Ohio State and Iowa, the Badgers better be ready for battle.
List of Wisconsin 2025 Football Opponents
- Thursday, August 28—
vs. Miami (OH)—Tickets as low as $34 - Saturday, September 6—
vs. Middle Tennessee— Tickets as low as $31 - Saturday, September 13-
at Alabama— Tickets as low as $103 - Saturday, September 20—
vs. Maryland— Tickets as low as $53 - Saturday, October 4—
@Michigan— Tickets as low as $136 - Saturday, October 11—
vs. Iowa— Tickets as low as $89 - Saturday, October 18—
vs. Ohio State— Tickets as low as $136 - Saturday, October 25-
at Oregon— Tickets as low as $76 - Saturday, November 8—
vs. Washington— Tickets as low as $49 - Saturday, November 15-
at Indiana — Tickets as low as $82 - Saturday, November 22—
vs. Illinois— Tickets as low as $45 - Saturday, November 29—
at Minnesota—Tickets as low as $81
Breaking Down the 2025 Wisconsin Football Gauntlet
The Badgers’ 2025 journey starts on a unique note. Their opener against Miami (OH) has been moved to Thursday, August 28—a rare spotlight game to kick things off in Camp Randall under the lights. Wisconsin fans are hoping this early opener gives the squad a little extra edge before things ramp up.
Next comes a matchup against Middle Tennessee. It will be a game that’s important for building rhythm before the team faces one of the most feared programs in college football.
On September 13, Wisconsin heads to Tuscaloosa for a date with Alabama. This one’s circled on everyone’s calendar. A true test of grit and growth, facing Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide (or whoever takes over after Saban, if retirement rumors hold) will show just how much progress the Badgers have made under head coach Luke Fickell.
Wisconsin hasn’t faced ‘Bama since the 2015 Cowboy Classic, a 35–17 loss. Fans are hopeful this year’s team won’t just survive the test but actually push the Tide.
Back in Madison on September 20, Wisconsin opens Big Ten play against Maryland. The Terps have been building steadily under Mike Locksley, and their speed on offense will challenge Wisconsin’s secondary.
Then it’s into the teeth of the Big Ten meat grinder—October kicks off with a trip to Michigan on the 4th. We’re talking about the reigning College Football Playoff regulars. If the Badgers want to prove they belong in the postseason mix again, upsetting the Wolverines on the road would be a massive statement.
After Ann Arbor, Camp Randall gets two of its biggest showdowns of the season: Iowa on October 11 and Ohio State on October 18. The Iowa matchup, a battle of physical football and old-school grit, could play a pivotal role in Big Ten West implications. Then comes the juggernaut—Ohio State. The Buckeyes have dominated this series recently, but the Badgers came painfully close to an upset in 2019. This might be the year they finally flip the script.
And just when you think things might ease up, Wisconsin heads west to Eugene on October 25. Oregon’s fast-paced offense and rowdy Autzen Stadium make this one of the toughest trips in college football. It’s a non-conference clash with major CFP implications. Fickell’s crew will need to be sharp to avoid getting outpaced by the Ducks.
November brings some breathing room but no true breaks. Washington visits Madison on November 8, a matchup against another Pac-12 transplant with serious quarterback play. A trip to Indiana on November 15 should be manageable—unless the Hoosiers catch fire. Then it’s Senior Day against Illinois on November 22, followed by the most anticipated rivalry game of the season.
The finale? Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Wisconsin heads to Minnesota on November 29, hoping to reclaim bragging rights after losing three of the last four matchups. This isn’t just about a trophy—it’s about pride, postseason seeding, and, frankly, who gets to talk trash until next Thanksgiving.
Can Wisconsin Turn Things Around in 2025?
The pressure is on Luke Fickell in Year 3. Last season showed glimpses of promise, but the inconsistency in quarterback play and defensive lapses haunted the Badgers. In 2025, with a more stable offensive line, incoming talent through the transfer portal, and a full season under Fickell’s system, expectations are higher. This schedule won’t allow for slow starts or second-half collapses.
If the Badgers can split games against Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State—and take care of business against winnable opponents like Indiana and Illinois—a nine-win season isn’t out of the question. That would mark a major step forward and potentially vault Wisconsin into a New Year’s Six conversation.
KEEP READING: History of the Wisconsin Badgers Mascot
At the end of the day, this is what college football is all about: big-time games, rivalries that go back over a century, and the hope of something greater. For the Wisconsin Badgers, 2025 might just be the beginning of a proper redemption arc.
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