
Wisconsin Badgers football team is ranked No. 76 in USA TODAY's 138-team rankings after spring practice. The team faces challenges following two consecutive losing seasons and has a tough schedule ahead in the Big Ten.
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While Wisconsin Badgers fans may not like their ranking, USA TODAY placed Luke Fickell's squad at No. 76 after spring practice.
It's going to take a lot more than a strong spring showing from someone like Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph to turn things around.
Fresh off back-to-back losing seasons, something that's basically unheard of with this program, Fickell has his work cut out for him. He's been putting together a stellar class of 2027, though those recruits are still a year out.
Wisconsin, like always, has a difficult schedule ahead. Playing in the Big Ten is never easy, especially when looking at Paul Myerberg's list and seeing that three of the top six teams are all in the Badgers conference.
Sure, Fickell doesn't have to worry about the No. 1-ranked team, Ohio State, but Wisconsin opens its season at Lambeau Field against a Notre Dame squad Myerberg has sitting at No. 2.
There are a ton of winnable games on the Badgers' schedule, but the national media has every right to question just how good they're going to be after a pair of disastrous seasons.
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Wisconsin is ranked No. 76 due to recent performance, including back-to-back losing seasons and the need for significant improvement under new coach Luke Fickell.
Wisconsin faces a challenging schedule in the Big Ten, which includes three of the top six teams in the conference, making it difficult to improve their ranking.
Colton Joseph, a transfer from Old Dominion, is the new quarterback for Wisconsin, tasked with helping turn the program around after recent struggles.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football earns No. 76 ranking USA TODAY post-spring ball