Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin entered 2026 with a roster transformed by 34 transfers, including quarterback Colton Joseph from Old Dominion, running backs Abu Sama III and Bryan Jackson II, and a revamped secondary. The season opener against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field showed the Badgers are more competitive than in recent years, as they trailed just 13-10 at halftime. However, the final 41-13 loss exposed the gap between potential and execution, especially in the second half when Notre Dame scored touchdowns on all three of its possessions. The Badgers' two turnovers directly led to Irish scores, underscoring the need for mistake-free play against elite competition.

Joseph, the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year at Old Dominion, was brought in to fix a passing attack that ranked last in the Power 4 in 2025. His rushing ability is a clear upgrade, as he had more runs of 10-plus yards last season than the entire Wisconsin team. But against Notre Dame, he struggled to find consistency, throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The rebuilt offensive line, which failed to establish a rhythm against a top-tier Irish front, remains a major concern. Joseph's dual-threat skills could keep drives alive, but he must protect the ball and adapt to facing defenses far stronger than those in the Sun Belt.

The Badgers' defense was expected to be a strength, with returning freshmen standouts Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa at linebacker, plus a deep transfer cornerback group featuring Cai Bates, Eric Fletcher Jr., Javan Robinson, and Bryce West. In the opener, the unit held Notre Dame to just 13 points in the first half, but they could not sustain that pressure after halftime. The pass rush, led by homegrown edges Nicolas Clayton and Jaylen Williams, failed to generate consistent heat on Irish quarterback CJ Carr. To compete in the Big Ten, this defense must force turnovers and get off the field on third downs, areas that were lacking against Notre Dame.

Kicker Gavin Lahm, who redshirted last season, made two field goals in the opener, providing a reliable scoring option that Wisconsin lacked in 2025. The addition of a full-time special teams coordinator, Bob Ligashesky, has already shown dividends in the kicking game. However, the Badgers still need to improve their punt return unit, which averaged just 7.8 yards per return last season and often opted for fair catches. Against Notre Dame, the Badgers did not generate any explosive returns, and field position was a factor in the second-half collapse. Better returns could give the offense shorter fields and ease the burden on a still-developing unit.

After the tough opener, Wisconsin faces Western Illinois at home, a game where they are heavy favorites and should have a chance to iron out offensive issues. The rest of the schedule is more favorable than last year, but the Badgers still have to prove they can beat quality Big Ten opponents. The key will be whether the offensive line can gel, Joseph can limit turnovers, and the defense can maintain its first-half intensity for full games. If those pieces come together, Wisconsin could exceed expectations and post a winning record, but they are not yet contenders for the Big Ten title. The next few weeks will be critical for building momentum and confidence.