The Big Ten has officially dropped the 2026 football schedule, and for Wisconsin, it’s a slate that’s equal parts historic, challenging, and revealing. From a headline-grabbing opener at Lambeau Field to a rugged run through the reloaded Big Ten, the Badgers will have no shortage of tests as they try to reassert themselves in the national conversation.
Let’s break down Wisconsin’s 2026 schedule, game by game, and what each matchup could tell us about where this program is headed.
Sept. 6 - vs. Notre Dame (Lambeau Field)
There’s no easing into the season here. Wisconsin opens with a heavyweight clash against Notre Dame at the iconic Lambeau Field.
The Irish are coming off a 10-2 campaign and enter the year ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings. This game isn’t just a measuring stick - it’s a spotlight moment.
Notre Dame has had the upper hand historically, leading the series 9-6-2, including a lopsided 41-13 win back in 2021. That loss still stings for many in Madison. But this is a new era, and if the Badgers want to show they’ve taken a step forward, there’s no better stage than this one to make a statement.
Sept. 12 - vs. Western Illinois
After the fireworks of Week 1, Wisconsin gets a chance to reset against Western Illinois. The Leathernecks went 4-8 last season and haven’t had much success historically against the Badgers.
The last time they met, in 2014, it was a 37-3 blowout in Wisconsin’s favor. Expect this game to be more about refining execution and building momentum than anything else.
Sept. 19 - vs. Eastern Michigan
Another tune-up, but not one to overlook. Eastern Michigan also finished 4-8 in 2025, and while Wisconsin holds a 4-0 series lead, these are the types of games where you want to see clean football - no turnovers, no sloppy penalties, and a dominant performance in the trenches. The Badgers won the last meeting in 2021 by a score of 34-7.
Sept. 26 - at Penn State
Now the real grind begins. Wisconsin heads to Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that’s coming off its worst Big Ten season in over a decade. The Nittany Lions finished 7-6 overall, just 3-6 in conference play, and are now under the direction of new head coach Matt Campbell.
Still, history hasn’t been kind to Wisconsin in this matchup. Penn State has won six straight in the series, including a 28-13 win the last time they met - a game that effectively ended the Air Raid experiment in Madison. This will be a big one for the Badgers to show they can handle adversity on the road.
Oct. 3 - vs. Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, this time as head coach of Michigan State. The Spartans are trying to climb out of the basement after a 4-8 season (1-8 in Big Ten play), and Fitzgerald’s arrival adds an interesting wrinkle to this early October clash.
This is a rare meeting between the two programs - just their fifth since the 2011 Big Ten Championship game. The last one came in 2022, a 34-28 overtime win for Michigan State. Wisconsin will be looking to flip the script and hold serve at home.
Oct. 17 - at UCLA
The Badgers head west to face UCLA, now a full-fledged Big Ten member. The Bruins are under new leadership as well, with Bob Chesney taking over after a 3-9 season. Despite the struggles, this trip is anything but a layup - cross-country conference games come with their own challenges.
This will be the first meeting between these two since the 2000 Rose Bowl, where Wisconsin edged out a 21-20 win. That one was for a trophy. This one might not be, but it could be just as meaningful in the standings.
Oct. 24 - vs. USC
Circle this one. USC comes to Camp Randall for the first time in 60 years, and the Trojans are looking like a real contender. They finished 7-2 in Big Ten play last year and closed the regular season strong, winning four of their last five.
Lincoln Riley didn’t go wild in the transfer portal, which says a lot about his confidence in the roster. But one of the few additions?
Former Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft. That subplot adds some spice to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight.
The last time these two met, USC won 38-21 in Los Angeles. Now it’s Wisconsin’s turn to host - and potentially return the favor.
Oct. 31 - at Iowa
There’s no sugarcoating it: Iowa has had Wisconsin’s number lately. The Hawkeyes have won four straight in the series, and the last two have been particularly tough pills to swallow for Badger fans.
Iowa finished 9-4 last season and remains one of the most physical, disciplined teams in the league. If Wisconsin wants to reclaim its place atop the Big Ten West pecking order, this Halloween showdown in Iowa City is a must-win.
Nov. 7 - vs. Rutgers
This one has been all Badgers, all the time. Wisconsin is 6-0 against Rutgers, and none of those games have been close. The last meeting was a 42-7 road win in 2024, and the Scarlet Knights haven’t fared much better in Madison - they lost 24-13 in their last visit to Camp Randall in 2023.
Rutgers went 5-7 last year and just 2-7 in conference play. Unless something changes drastically, this should be a comfortable win for Wisconsin.
Nov. 14 - at Maryland
This one could be tricky. Maryland’s 2025 season started with promise but ended in a freefall - eight straight losses to close out a 4-8 campaign.
Still, they’ve got young talent, and they already proved they can beat Wisconsin. The Terrapins handed the Badgers a 27-10 loss last September, a game that raised serious red flags.
Wisconsin still holds a 4-1 edge in the series, but this game is about more than history. It’s about showing growth and not getting caught flat-footed on the road.
Nov. 21 - at Purdue
Purdue is in full rebuild mode. The Boilermakers went 2-10 and didn’t win a single Big Ten game in Barry Odom’s first season. But they’ve been aggressive in the portal, landing 29 commitments - the fourth-most in the league.
Still, they haven’t beaten Wisconsin since 2003. That’s a long drought, and unless Purdue’s overhaul pays immediate dividends, the Badgers should be in good shape here.
Nov. 28 - vs. Minnesota
As always, the season wraps with Paul Bunyan’s Axe on the line. And right now, the Gophers are the ones wielding it. Minnesota has won four of the last five meetings, including a 17-7 win last year.
They’ve also strung together back-to-back eight-win seasons, showing real stability under P.J. Fleck.
This rivalry has always meant something, but lately, it’s had even more juice. For Wisconsin, there may be no better way to end the regular season than by taking the Axe back - and sending a message heading into bowl season.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin’s 2026 schedule is a gauntlet. There are marquee non-conference matchups, road trips to iconic venues, and a Big Ten slate that reflects the conference’s new coast-to-coast footprint. But it’s also a schedule full of opportunity.
If the Badgers can find consistency - particularly at quarterback and along the offensive line - there’s a real chance to make noise. We’ll know a lot more after that opener at Lambeau. But from there, it’s about surviving the grind, stacking wins, and proving that Wisconsin belongs in the upper tier of the new-look Big Ten.