​The Wisconsin Badgers drew a brutal 2025 slate, facing eight opponents who were ranked or finished the season ranked, including Alabama, Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State, all of whom reached the College Football Playoff. Looking ahead to 2026, the schedule on paper appears easier, yet there are still plenty of tough tests in store. Last week, we delivered Parts 1 and 2, breaking down the easiest games on the docket and spotlighting potential trap games as well. And now we reach Part 3 in this enduring predictive series (Parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here), where I rank the four most challenging matchups for Luke Fickell’s Badgers this fall. With camp just under a month away, let’s dive in.
4th: vs. USC
We have seen countless Lincoln Riley teams, dating back to Oklahoma, hailed as special before eventually crashing back down to earth. There’s little reason to expect him to buck that trend in year 10. Yet there’s also no denying that a Jayden Maiava-led Trojans squad, replete with four- and five-star talent, will at minimum pose a stiff test for Wisconsin. It’s quite possible—perhaps likely—that Southern Cal will be ranked and Wisconsin won’t be when this game is played in late October, so placing it this high on the list makes sense.
3rd: @ Penn State
While I believe Matt Campbell is a talented coach who will likely find success in State College, the long-term fit remains something to watch. He did a commendable job turning around a down Cyclones program and making it competitive, but his teams there rarely contended for the Big 12 crown when the league mix was strong but not elite. After an 8-win breakthrough in year two, his losses have been telling: 5, 6, 3, 6, 8, 6, 3, 4. Let’s avoid pretending this is a path to easy wins. Rocco Becht is a solid quarterback, and there’s reason to expect some success from the Nittany Lions. A Wisconsin win here would be a significant breakthrough, and the Badgers are likely to enter as double-digit underdogs, aiming to win in this series for the first time since 2013.
2nd: vs. Notre Dame
This one may surprise some, as the Irish figure to be a top-five team when they visit Lambeau Field to kick off the season. Wisconsin will indeed enter as sizable underdogs. But when it comes to the difficulty of the task, especially given recent trends, I’d rather face Notre Dame than the top pick on this list. It isn’t a coin-flip margin, but the national profile and potential upside of a win are substantial enough to place this matchup second on the list. The optics and recognition that come with beating Notre Dame are meaningful, even if the practical challenge isn’t the toughest on the slate.
1st: @ Iowa
Yes, I firmly believe this is the biggest test on Wisconsin’s schedule, and there’s a strong case for why it tops the list. The Hawkeyes have built a sturdy, physical program under their recent regime, consistently presenting a difficult game plan and a gritty, blue-collar approach. Iowa also tends to wear down opponents late, which can magnify the pressure in a road environment. For Wisconsin, this game will demand discipline, execution, and a game plan that can counter Iowa’s strengths while exploiting any weaknesses. It’s the kind of clash that can define a season, and securing a win in this spot would be a meaningful signal that the Badgers have truly turned a corner under Fickell.