As the Wisconsin Badgers prepare to host the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, the stakes go beyond just win-loss records. A victory would not only enhance the Badgers’ standing in the Big Ten but also signify a pivotal moment for head coach Luke Fickell and a program determined to reclaim its status among the conference elite.
The Badgers enter the matchup with momentum, having won three straight conference games for the first time since 2021. Their victories over Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern came with a combined score of 117-16.
Despite a three-game winning streak, Wisconsin has struggled mightily against ranked opponents in recent years. The Badgers hold a dismal 2-13 record in their last 15 contests against ranked opponents. Under Fickell, the Badgers are 0-4 as they remain in search of their first victory against a Top 25 team. In recent history against Penn State, the Badgers have lost seven of its last eight matchups, including five straight.
Notably, Wisconsin hasn’t defeated a top-10 team at home since its 31-18 win against then-No.1 Ohio State in 2010. Facing a formidable Penn State team, which boasts a perfect 6-0 record and is 3-0 in the Big Ten, the Badgers’ quest for respectability within the conference may hinge on this matchup.
Despite the recent struggles against ranked opponents, the Badgers have gone undefeated against unranked opponents and are tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a 3-1 record.
Come Saturday, the Badgers have the opportunity not just to change their narrative but to signal their return to prominence in the Big Ten. A win against the No. 3 team in the nation could propel Wisconsin back into the Top 25.
