Fearless Forecast - Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badger football team won ten games last season.

This year they probably have a better team.

This team may not win ten games.

Those three statements don't seem to add up, but could be a reality where 8 wins or more will be seen as a wildly successful year for the Badgers.

It opens today in the Badger State with a not quite home game in Lambeau Field against the Tigers of Louisiana State University.

Tigers aren't native in these parts.  Badgers are.  Let's give Bucky's boys an upset victory over a visiting squad feeling worth their high preseason ranking.

After a difficult home opener under the national spotlight and an ESPN College Gameday atmosphere, the Badgers head home to face Akron and Georgia State.  If these aren't wins, these are not the Badgers I think they are.

Then comes the B1G Ten season.

Wisconsin hasn't faced Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State during the regular season for a few years now..  In 2016 they get all three as the first games during the conference season.

Visits to Michigan State and Michigan are very difficult games.  The Spartan down the Badgers in a tight game in Lansing and Big Blue gives Bucky a bloody nose when he ventures into the Big House.

Big, bad Ohio State comes calling to Madison for a game natives have circled on the schedule for months.  If the Badgers are going to get back on the national radar, this could be their last chance.

Corey Clement goes wild from his tailback slot and the defense cracks the Buckeyes in a surprising win.

It's followed with a Wisconsin win in Iowa City, a home win over the Cornhuskers, and a win over Northwestern down in Evanston.

7 - 2 for the year with three games to play.

Coach Paul Chryst has the team rolling with a home win over the Illini, a road feast over the Boilermakers, and victory over Minnesota to brighten the holiday weekend.

Which, if it unfolds, will likely put the Badgers in Indianapolis for the B1G Championship game against either Michigan State or Ohio State and a puncher's chance for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Possible?  Sure, it's possible.  I can't say it's likely, but with the common refrain this year from everybody about what is considered the toughest schedule in the country, why not?

They don't play everybody at once, and they don't have to win a game in one play... they could get there, they might get there.... the old fashioned way with some solidly spectacular Badger football.