The Wisconsin Badgers will enter their Week 1 matchup with Western Michigan ranked No. 40 in ESPN FPI.
That slot is down from their previous spot at No. 39, due to Georgia Tech’s rise up to No. 37 after upsetting Florida State in Week 0.
Related: Big Ten Power Rankings entering Week 1: A clean slate for Wisconsin
FPI does not have an optimistic forecast for Wisconsin’s 2024 season. It projects the Badgers at 5.8 – 6.2, with only a 57.5% chance to reach six or more wins.
That negative outlook is mostly thanks to a schedule that FPI ranks as the 24th-toughest in the nation. That and Wisconsin’s rating is likely anchored by two consecutive years of disappointing 7-6 records.
ESPN’s computer-generated FPI has updated heading into Week 1 of College Football📈📉https://t.co/gF7pB9VU6E pic.twitter.com/5IUoaRXumL
— On3 (@On3sports) August 27, 2024
The Badgers will have plenty of chances to rise up FPI’s ratings. The team plays FPI’s preseason No. 2 (Oregon), No. 5 (Alabama), No. 6 (Penn State), No. 18 (USC), No. 38 (Iowa) and No. 42 (Nebraska) teams.
Week 0 always sees minor movement from the teams that are in action. Expect Wisconsin’s ranking to find its level once the full schedule begins this weekend.
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