Ad Disclosure
ESPN’s FPI predicts every game on Wisconsin’s 2021 schedule
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Wisconsin is one team that saw the 2020 season disrupted in a major way while trying to play throughout COVID-19.
When it was all said and done, the Badgers finished the regular season with a 3-3 record. However, Wisconsin ended things on a high note with an impressive showing in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl over Wake Forest.
Coming into 2021, expectations will be high with many fans expecting a rebound performance from the guys in Madison. A number of key defenders are back for another year and the offense will be led by quarterback Graham Mertz.
ESPN’s Football Power Index is also big on the Badgers for 2021. Here is a look at every game on Wisconsin’s schedule in terms of win probability:
- Sept. 4: vs Penn State – 54.4% (W)
- Sept. 11: vs Eastern Michigan – 90.9% (W)
- Sept. 25: vs Notre Dame – 38.6% (L)
- Oct. 2: vs Michigan – 67.7% (W)
- Oct. 9: at Illinois – 82.2% (W)
- Oct. 16: vs Army – 87.5% (W)
- Oct. 23: at Purdue – 63.6% (W)
- Oct. 30: vs Iowa – 60.2% (W)
- Nov. 6: at Rutgers – 76.9% (W)
- Nov. 13: vs Northwestern – 68.8% (W)
- Nov. 20: vs Nebraska – 74.8% (W)
- Nov. 27: at Minnesota – 65.2% (W)
Traditionally speaking, those win probabilities would have Wisconsin at an 11-1 overall record. However, the formula used by the FPI is predicting an overall record of 8.4-4.0, meaning the projections expect a couple of those close games to go against the Badgers.
Can Wisconsin shake enough of those expected close games to capture the B1G West this season?
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.