As the 2025 college football season approaches, oddsmakers and analysts are expressing skepticism about the Wisconsin Badgers’ prospects.

Following a disappointing 5–7 record in 2024—their first losing season since 2001—the team faces a challenging road ahead. With a demanding schedule and ongoing program adjustments, expectations are tempered.

L Win Total Projections

FanDuel Sportsbook has set Wisconsin’s over/under win total at 5.5 for the 2025 season. The under is currently favored at -144, while the over is priced at +118 .

This reflects widespread skepticism among oddsmakers regarding the Badgers’ ability to achieve a winning record.(SI)

L Schedule Challenges

The Badgers’ 2025 schedule is among the most formidable in college football.

According to Off Tackle Empire, Wisconsin boasts the toughest schedule in the Big Ten, earning a rating of 19 points—the highest among conference teams . Key challenges include:(Off Tackle Empire)

• Road games at Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Indiana, and Minnesota

Home games against Iowa, Ohio State, and Washington(FOX Sports)

This demanding slate leaves little room for error and underscores the difficulty of achieving a bowl-eligible season.

Roster Changes and Coaching Adjustments

In response to last season’s underperformance, Head Coach Luke Fickell has made several strategic changes:

• Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has been brought in to revitalize the offense, particularly the running game .

• Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Maryland, is expected to lead the offense.

The team has added 19 transfers, aiming to bolster depth and talent across the roster.(College Sports Network)

Despite these efforts, analysts remain cautious. Chris “The Bear” Fallica of FOX Sports predicts that the Badgers will struggle to surpass the 5.5 win mark, citing the challenging schedule and recent recruiting challenges .(FOX Sports)

Analyst Predictions

Yardbarker’s pre-spring projections also place Wisconsin at 6.5 wins, suggesting a modest improvement over last season’s 5–7 record.

However, this still indicates a team on the fringe of bowl eligibility, facing significant hurdles to achieve a winning record .(Yardbarker)

Historical Context

Historically, the Badgers have been a model of consistency, with strong performances in both the Big Ten and bowl games.

The 2024 season marked a rare downturn, and while the program has a history of resilience, the 2025 season presents unique challenges.

The consensus among oddsmakers and analysts is that the Wisconsin Badgers face an uphill battle in the 2025 season.

With a challenging schedule, recent roster changes, and the need to adapt to new coaching strategies, expectations are tempered.

While the potential for improvement exists, the path to a winning season is fraught with obstacles.

As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the team’s performance to see if they can defy expectations and return to their winning ways.