USA TODAY ranks Wisconsin football 61st in preseason FBS standings

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY placed the Wisconsin Badgers 61st in his preseason ranking of all 138 FBS college football programs. This assessment follows a difficult 2025 season where the team finished with a 2-2 record over its final four games after dropping six of seven previous contests. The offense struggled throughout the year, averaging only 12.8 points per game against a schedule that featured seven ranked opponents. In preparation for the 2026 season, the program brought in the nation's 38th-ranked transfer class as determined by 247Sports. This recruitment effort includes the addition of quarterback Colton Joseph, formerly of Old Dominion. Head coach Luke Fickell now looks to improve upon last year's results to move the team up from its current position near the bottom tier of power-conference schools.

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