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Wisconsin Football: 5 reasons why Badgers will win 2017 national title

By Trevor Jossart

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: The Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the trophy after the Wisconsin Badgers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 24-16 in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: The Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the trophy after the Wisconsin Badgers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 24-16 in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 12: Connor Allen #90 of the Wisconsin Badgers is congratulated by head coach Paul Chryst during the first half of a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 12: Connor Allen #90 of the Wisconsin Badgers is congratulated by head coach Paul Chryst during the first half of a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

5. Schedule

As mentioned, the Badgers play a somewhat favorable schedule this year, with some of their more difficult road games last season back in Madison, where we all know the Badgers are very good at.

2017 Schedule (Opponent record last year):

  • vs. Utah State (3-9)
  • vs. Florida Atlantic (3-9)
  • at BYU (9-4)
  • vs. Northwestern (7-6)
  • at Nebraska (9-4)
  • vs. Purdue (3-9)
  • vs. Maryland (6-7)
  • at Illinois (3-9)
  • at Indiana (6-7)
  • vs. Iowa (8-5)
  • vs. Michigan (10-3)
  • at Minnesota (9-4)

Obviously, there are some tough games on there and no conference game is ever a guaranteed win, but if you are looking for reason to think the Badgers can breeze through this year’s schedule, remember how they did last season through the gauntlet of matchups they had week in and week out.

Simply glancing at the lineup this year, it is pretty clear that the toughest games the Badgers will endure are their road games, specifically BYU, Nebraska and Minnesota.

The Cougars of BYU always prove to be a tough matchup for power conference teams, especially with how tough the Cougars’ schedule usually is every year, proving they are used to these types of tests. Add the home crowd into that early season showdown and you could be looking at one of the toughest games for any power conference team during the non-conference.

Of course, Nebraska and Minnesota are huge rivalry games and with them both being on the road, the opposing team would love nothing more than to not only spoil the Badgers’ season, but also put themselves in a position to make a run at a Big Ten West title.

Remember, though, Nebraska has only beaten Wisconsin once since coming over to the Big Ten from the Big 12 and Minnesota — well, it’s been a long time since they have regained the axe (over 5,000 days).

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