​The Wisconsin Badgers drew high praise in Phil Steele’s 2026 College Football Preview magazine, a release crafted by the veteran writer and analyst who spent more than 370 pages assembling his forward-looking analysis ahead of the upcoming season. The publication arrives at a moment of considerable anticipation for Wisconsin under head coach Luke Fickell, with many eyes on how the program will navigate the 2026 campaign and what it could mean for the trajectory of the program going forward.
Steele’s preview features several notable sub-headlines designed to underscore the magazine’s confidence in the insights contained within. Phrases such as “book the experts cannot do without” and “the most accurate magazine over the last 31 years” underscore the publication’s long-standing reputation and the level of trust readers place in its projections. While no expert can claim perfect foresight, Steele’s projections have generated conversation among Badgers fans, particularly his assessment that Wisconsin’s running back room could become the most improved unit in the country this season. If accurate, that improvement could have meaningful implications for Wisconsin’s overall balance and production on offense.
In Steele’s view, Wisconsin is predicted to finish in a tied-for-12th position within the Big Ten, a ranking that nonetheless reflects a cautious optimism about what Fickell and his coaching staff can achieve. The projection suggests that, despite the conference-wide competition and the particular challenges the Big Ten presents, Wisconsin has a credible path to competing for a spot in a postseason bowl game. The idea that the Badgers could climb in the conference standings or at least hold steady, while still contending for a bowl berth, is a common theme in early-season prognostications and provides a focal point for fans as they anticipate the fall.
Looking beyond conference placement, Steele identifies Wisconsin as one of the most improved teams nationwide, ranking the Badgers at No. 12 on the list of programs expected to show significant gains from the previous season. This designation aligns with the broader narrative surrounding the program, which centers on growth across multiple facets of the roster and program philosophy under Fickell. In his assessment, the quarterback position is anticipated to experience “vastly improved” play, a critical factor for Wisconsin’s offensive upside. Additionally, Steele notes expected enhancements to the secondary, a unit that has historically played a pivotal role in the team’s defensive identity and overall performance.
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Ultimately, the 2026 edition of Phil Steele’s magazine presents a portrait of a Wisconsin program positioned for meaningful progress under Luke Fickell. It highlights improvements at quarterback and in the secondary, anticipates a stronger running game, and places Wisconsin among teams whose trajectories could rise more quickly than the national average. Whether these projections come to fruition remains to be seen, but the preview contributes an intriguing narrative as Wisconsin heads into the 2026 season with heightened expectations and a clear sense of optimism about the direction of the program.