The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy has been consistent with his outlook for the Wisconsin Badgers in year one under new head coach Luke Fickell.
No, he doesn’t predict a College Football Playoff appearance. His Week 0 bowl projections continue to see the Badgers face off against up-and-coming SEC power Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
The Volunteers have had their glory days in the past, most notably with Payton Manning in the late 1990s. The program faced a rough stretch from 2008-2021, failing to win double-digit games in every year during that stretch. But a 11-2 2022 season under offensive mind Josh Heupel has Tennessee fans excited about the future of the program in the new era of college football.
Week 0 bowl projections from @ActionNetworkHQ: @CFBPlayoff (Georgia-Ohio St, Michigan-Florida St); Citrus: Tennessee-Wisconsin; Las Vegas: Utah-Nebraska; Music City: Arkansas-Illinois; Liberty: TCU-Kentucky; Gator: UL-Auburn; Pop-Tarts: UNC-Kansas Sthttps://t.co/VcE0YEtHFu
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 21, 2023
This matchup would be fun for a lot of reasons. First, Tennessee’s fast-paced spread offense would be a fun test for a Wisconsin defense that should be the strength of the team yet again. Second, and more notably, the Volunteers look set to be led by Joe Milton at quarterback. Yes, the same Joe Milton that started for Michigan in 2020 and threw one of the more head-scratching interceptions I’ve ever seen.
The @BadgerFootball defense has been on the field twice.
It has two interceptions.@chenal_leo does the honors here. pic.twitter.com/qb7RVOjkU0
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 15, 2020
Wisconsin opens its season and quest for the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff on September 3 against the Buffalo Bulls.