Wisconsin avoided playing Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State last season but failed to navigate its way through the Big Ten West to the conference championship game. Home losses to Iowa and Northwestern resulted in a second-place finish in the division in head coach Paul Chryst's first season.
Chryst and the Badgers topped USC 23-21 in the Holiday Bowl to reach the 10-win mark but now turn to a daunting schedule this fall.
Wisconsin plays LSU at Lambeau Field in its season opener then visits Michigan State and Michigan to start Big Ten play. After a week off, Ohio State and Urban Meyer visit Camp Randall Stadium for a primetime matchup.