Rutgers Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Wisconsin
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Rutgers continues a difficult run to end the season with a trip to Madison to take on Wisconsin. This will be the first game of the final four of the year.
2026 Wisconsin Football at a Glance
- Name: Wisconsin Badgers
- Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (Cap. 76,030)
- Head Coach: Luke Fickell (17-21, 10-17 in Big Ten)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Grimes
- Defensive Coordinator: Mike Tressel
- 2025: 4-8, 2-7 in Big Ten
2025 Wisconsin Season-In-Review
- Key Returners: WR, Chris Brooks Jr., OL Colin Cubberly, OL Emerson Mandell, DB Matthew Jung
- Transfer Additions: LB Christian Alliegro, OL Joe Brunner, RB Abu Sama III, QB Colton Joseph, S Marvin Burks Jr., OL Jake Renfro, WR Trech Kekahuna, WR Shamar Rigby, TE Tucker Ashcraft, OL Austin Kawecki, DL Justus Boone
- Incoming Class: DL Djidjou Bah, WR Keeyshawn Tabuteau, OL Brady Bekkenhuis, DE Yahya Gaad, TE Jack Sievers, CB Carson Eloms, QB Ryan Hopkins
- Key Losses: LB Christian Alliegro, OL Joe Brunner, OL Jake Renfro, WR Trech Kekahuna, TE Tucker Ashcraft, S Preston Zachman, QB Billy Edwards Jr.
Strengths
When you have a worse passing offense than Iowa in the Big Ten, that is a problem.
Wisconsin entered the offseason knowing that it had to improve this area. The Badgers hit the transfer portal to improve at wide receiver — and quarterback.
Colton Joseph comes in from Old Dominion to attempt to bring a new dynamic to the offense. He is a dual-threat that can get it done in many ways. He will have new runners to work with as well.
Darrion Dupree led the team with 363 rushing yards last season. The Badgers went to get Abu Sama III from Iowa State. He immediately becomes an elite back in the Big Ten. Bryan Jackson II comes over from USC as well.
The Badgers reloaded a pass rush that got to the quarterback at will last season. Jon Jon Kamara and Justus Boone are newcomers to the defensive line and will bring that presence. As poor as the pass defense was at times, the run defense was strong. Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano are back after being among the team leaders in tackles.
Weaknesses
The offense was one of the worst in the nation last year.
The Badgers featured one of the worst offenses in the nationa last year, averaging 253 yards per game. The addition of Sama should help the run game, which will work behind a new offensive line.
The rushing attack was weak last year. Veteran tackle Joe Brunner is now in Indiana as well. This will be a question mark entering the season until proven otherwise.
Defensively, the Badgers want to generate more turnovers this season. Wisconsin came away with six turnovers last season and just one fumble recovered. That will be a major question this year and it begins with a middle of the defense and secondary full of transfers.
The pass defense for the Badgers and the ability to generate turnovers will be the key points of emphasis.
Rutgers Football Schedule
- Sept. 3: vs. UMass
- Sept. 11: at Boston College
- Sept. 19: vs. USC
- Sept. 25: vs. Howard
- Oct. 3: vs. Indiana
- Oct. 17: at Maryland
- Oct. 24: at Northwestern
- Oct. 31: vs. Michigan
- Nov. 7: at Wisconsin
- Nov. 14: vs. Nebraska
- Nov. 21: at Penn State
- Nov. 28: vs. Michigan State
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