How did Wisconsin’s 2026 opponents fare in Week 1?
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The Wisconsin Badgers will be among the last group of teams to play in Week 1, as they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday evening at Lambeau Field, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
Much has been made of Wisconsin’s 2026 schedule, as the Badgers are set to face a significantly lighter group of opponents than their daunting schedule last season. Still, there are a number of intriguing matchups, and we know how much variance there is year-after-year.
So, we’ll be tracking Wisconsin’s future opponents and their week-by-week results leading up to Badger games, starting with Week 1.
Western Illinois
The Badgers’ Week 2 opponent has already played two games, as they faced NAIA Northwestern in Week 0, winning 65-14. However, they were beaten down by Illinois State in a home game in Week 1, losing 41-10 to the Redbirds as they gave up nearly 500 total yards, including 239 on the ground.
Regardless of Sunday’s result, Wisconsin should be a heavy favorite in this one.
Eastern Michigan
The Eagles fell 27-21 to San Jose State in Week 1 after beating Sacramento State in Week 0, 28-17. Led by former Michigan State quarterback Noah Kim, Eastern Michigan gave up 453 yards of offense to the Spartans, while only producing 281 yards of their own.
Now, Eastern Michigan is 1-1 heading into Week 3, where they play Michigan State on the road before traveling to Wisconsin.
No. 18 Penn State
The Nittany Lions started off their 2026 season with a 45-0 win over Marshall on Saturday. Quarterback Rocco Becht was 13 of 18 for 271 yards and four touchdowns, while Penn State ran for 163 yards on 45 carries. Their defense also had two sacks and an interception, while allowing just 147 total yards.
Penn State faces Temple on the road next week.
Michigan State
The Spartans had a scare in Week 1, narrowly edging out a 30-20 win over Toledo at home. Michigan State led 19-7 at halftime, but Toledo scored back-to-back touchdowns to take a 20-19 lead in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State would eventually put up 11 fourth-quarter points to win by 10, but it didn’t come pretty. They did outgain Toledo 397 to 293 in total yards, while rushing for 150 yards on 49 attempts and holding possession for 43:16.
The Spartans face Eastern Michigan at home next week before the Eagles come to face the Badgers in Week 3.
UCLA
The Bruins had a competitive game against the Cal Bears through 30 minutes, but pulled away in the second half for a 45-24 win in coach Bob Chesney’s debut.
Despite strong quarterback play from Cal quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, UCLA put up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, while gaining 461 total yards, including a whopping 277 on the ground. They overcame 12 penalties to eventually blow out the Bears in a rivalry game.
UCLA faces San Diego State at home next weekend.
No. 14 USC
The Trojans have looked dominant to start the regular season, and that continued on Sunday with a 39-0 blanking of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Lincoln Riley’s Trojans outgained Fresno State 552 to 116, including 412 to 77 in the air, and dominated the time of possession, while quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns on 23 of 25 passing.
That came after USC beat San Jose State 42-26 in a game that was far less competitive than the score indicated, as San Jose State scored 23 points in the fourth quarter against Trojans backups.
USC caps off its non-conference start with a home game against Louisiana.
No. 22 Iowa
The Hawkeyes blew out Northern Illinois 40-0 in the home opener, as Kamari Moulton ran for a career-high 183 yards and two scores. Iowa outgained Northern Illinois 507 to 120, including 289 to 7 on the ground, as they ran for 7.6 yards per carry.
Their quarterback competition continued into the regular season as Jeremy Hecklinski started, throwing for 76 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Hank Brown followed, completing 12 of 20 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.
We’ll see if that continues in Week 2 when Iowa faces Iowa State in a major rivalry game.
Rutgers
Rutgers was one of the most disappointing teams of Week 1, as they lost 37-21 to UMass in a buy game where they were humiliated on their home turf.
The Scarlet Knights trailed 24-7 at halftime, while starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw three interceptions before being replaced due to injury. Rutgers gave up 200 yards on the ground, while turning it over four times as a team.
They face another challenge in Week 2, going on the road to take on Boston College.
Maryland
The Terrapins kicked off the season with a clean 62-0 win over Hampton in the season opener. They outgained Hampton 646 to 85, while going for 365 yards, 9.1 yards per carry, and six touchdowns on the ground.
They will face a different challenge in Week 2, traveling to face the UConn Huskies, who hired Jason Candle this offseason.
Purdue
The Boilermakers beat Indiana State 44-19, as Ryan Browne threw for a career-high 317 yards and three touchdowns. Purdue outgained Indiana State 523-284, although they had nine penalties.
Barry Odom’s squad will face a test in Week 2 when Purdue takes on Wake Forest on the road.
Minnesota
The Gophers easily beat Eastern Illinois 59-7 in their season opener, winning in all facets of the game. Drake Lindsey threw for 264 yards and a touchdown, Darius Taylor had three touchdowns, the defense allowed just 110 total yards, and punt returner Javon Tracy had two punt return touchdowns.
Minnesota faced a former Badger, as Cole LaCrue was Eastern Illinois’s starting quarterback. He threw for 51 yards and a touchdown on 12 pass attempts.
The Gophers take on Mississippi State and rising star quarterback Kamario Taylor next weekend at home.
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