Previously: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue
Now: Wisconsin
2010 Overall Record: 11-2
2010 Big Ten Record: 7-1
Non-Conference Opponents
9/1: UNLV (2-11)
9/10: Oregon State (5-7)
9/17: Northern Illinois (11-3)
9/24: South Dakota (4-7)
Divisional Opponents
10/15: Indiana
10/29: @ Ohio State
11/5: Purdue
11/19: @ Illinois
11/26: Penn State
Crossover Opponents
10/1: Nebraska
10/22: @ Michigan State
11/12: @ Minnesota
Do Not Play
Iowa
Michigan
Northwestern
If You Only Watch One Wisconsin Game in 2011: No question, Nebraska on October 1st. Not only is it Wisconsin's first league game of the year, but it's also Nebraska's first B1G game...ever. It's in Madison, it's on national TV, and it's a night game. It could also be a preview of the B1G Championship game.
Non-Conference Loss: Wiscy's non-conf slate is pretty light...as usual. Their only real chance for a loss will be Oregon State on September 10th. Although, the matchup with Northern Illinois, which will be played at a neutral site at Chicago's Soldier Field could be an interesting game to watch.
It's a Trap!: I hesitate to say Purdue, just because it's a home game, and a Leaders division game. Howeva! It falls between two tough road trips...coming back from E. Lansing and Columbus, and before a trip to rival Minneapolis and Champaign. That game falls right in the meat of Wisconsin's tough stretch.
The Game Destined for ESPN3.com: Bielema will probably hang 90 points on South Dakota on September 24th. The funny thing is, no one will be watching.
Final Analysis: Wisconsin makes up for a relatively easy non-conference schedule with an appropriately difficult league schedule. Even without playing three good teams in Michigan, Iowa and Northwestern, they make up for it by going on the road 5 times in 4 weeks right during the tough part of their schedule. Make no mistake, Wisconsin is going to be right there at the end of the season. With Ohio State crumbling before our eyes, no one stands to benefit more in the short term than Wisconsin, who should steamroll through the Leaders division.
Fearless Predictions
Non-conference record: 4-0
Division Record: 5-0
Crossover Record: 2-1
Overall: 11-1
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