A Look at the 2016 Season

MADISON, Wis. - The 2016 college football season is just around the corner, so BadgerBlitz.com contributors Jon McNamara, John Veldhuis and Jessi Schoville assembled their predictions for the Wisconsin Badgers, the rest of the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff.

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McNamara: I went up and down the schedule and after some thought I felt the season opener against LSU was the most important game of the season. And here’s why: The two biggest storylines this off-season were Wisconsin’s strength of schedule and who was going to start at quarterback. We know the Badgers will run through a gauntlet in 2016, specifically the four-game stretch that includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa. So Saturday’s contest at Lambeau Field will be crucial for the psyche of this team. If the No. 5 program in the nation blows them out, each remaining conference game on the schedule is going to look even more daunting. But if they can trade blows with the Tigers or even come out with a win, Paul Chryst’s group will likely have the confidence to compete with any school in the country. The second reason of importance is starting quarterback Bart Houston, who will be making his first career start at Wisconsin. If the fifth-year senior comes out of the gates strong, it will set the tone for the rest of the season. But if he struggles, fans will undoubtedly begin the calls for redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook.

Veldhuis: It's tempting to pick one of Wisconsin's toughest games as their most important one of the season, but I don't want people to miss the forrest for the trees. The Badgers could lose to LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa and drop one more regular season game and still win 6 games to become bowl eligible. But to win 6 games and avoid missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001 the Badgers need to take care of business in the second half of their season, and I think their home game against Nebraska on Oct. 29 could be the turning point. The Badgers could be looking for their first win after an 0-4 start to conference play, and a win over the Cornhuskers could help spark a turnaround. If they lose that game it leaves them no room for error: they'd have to run the table against Northwestern (in Evanston), Illinois, Purdue (in West Lafayette) and Minnesota. A win over Nebraska would potentially give the team a much-needed boost, along with some breathing room.

Schoville: Trying to determine the most important game this season is a tall task. With one of the most difficult schedules in the nation this season, the Badgers could find themselves up a creek without a paddle in a hurry. That is why I think it’s important for them to get off to a strong start in conference play with a win at Michigan State. I see this as the most important matchup for a number of reasons and in a couple different scenarios. Whether or not the Badgers win at Lambeau Field versus LSU on Sept. 3, the matchup versus the Spartans will serve as either a dramatic chance for rebound, or as a real gut-check for Wisconsin. If they beat LSU and can win in East Lansing they will be off to an incredible start that no one really saw coming. Even if they lose to the Tigers but still beat MSU, they will likely be sitting 3-1 and will have some positive momentum heading into their match-ups versus Ohio State and Michigan. That is momentum they will need heading into Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines and for the loaded Buckeyes when they visit Madison on Oct. 15. Without a win versus Michigan State they will be at best 3-1, but more than likely 2-2 and will be sledding uphill for the remainder of the season with a schedule as foreboding as Wisconsin’s.

McNamara: Everyone in the country has written Wisconsin off due to its schedule, and for good reason. But I think there’s a chance this year’s team could be more talented across the board than 2015’s squad. What would eqaul a positive “surprise” for the Badgers? I think nine wins – counting a bowl game at the end of the season – would exceed most people’s expectations. Of course, that would mean the Badgers would have to take care of business in every game they were favored in an likely win at least two games in which they were in the underdog role. The focus right now is on Bart Houston but with four capable running backs, the ground attack will likely dictate the success of this season. If the run game is clicking, UW should be competitive in each game in 2016.

Veldhuis: I have Iowa as my Big Ten West winner, but I think they take a step back from their undefeated regular season. The Big Ten West in general could be a pileup, with Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin all within a game of each other. But Iowa generally has a more favorable schedule, and hosts Nebraska at the end of the year. The winner of that game could well win the division, and at the moment I trust the Hawkeyes to deliver more than Nebraska, which had trouble winning close games last year.

Schoville: I see the Wisconsin Badgers actually surprising some teams this season. Coming off a down year on the offensive line coupled with issues in the backfield, fans saw a Wisconsin team that really didn't represent the Badgers they know or the talent the program has. This year’s team seems to have more depth and even better talent in certain areas. The running game will be closer to the standard and the defense still appears to be solid, so I wouldn't be surprised if Wisconsin upset a couple teams even before the game against Iowa. I think their most likely upset wins will come versus LSU and Ohio State, but I don't see them as an easy out for any opponent.

McNamara: Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett

Veldhuis: Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett

Schoville: Wisconsin running back Corey Clement

McNamara: Iowa cornerback Desmond King

Veldhuis: Michigan defensive back / linebacker Jabrill Peppers

Schoville: Iowa cornerback Desmond King

McNamara: Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey

Veldhuis: Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson

Schoville: Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey

McNamara: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)

I think Wisconsin will be able to get one victory in the four-game stretch (I’m calling Michigan State on the road) to start conference play. But games against Nebraska and Northwestern – specifically the Wildcats on the road – are not locks for the Badgers. Again, I think this year will depend on the run game and UW’s ability to move the ball. In the end, though, this schedule will prove too difficult to weave through. The highlights will be retaining Paul Bunyan’s ax against Minnesota to conclude the season and a bowl win in December.

Veldhuis: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

I'm generally a glass half-full person, and as such I think the Badgers will steal one of their five toughest games of the season. If I had to pick which one I'd lean towards either their early road trip to Michigan State or their trip to Iowa. I think the Badgers would rather play Michigan State earlier rather than later, especially since the Spartans will have only played two games up to that point. And while Iowa finished the regular season undefeated last year I think the Hawkeyes and the Badgers are relatively close in talent level, and the Badgers have had success playing in Iowa City before. If the Badgers win an extra game in that stretch it would just be icing on the cake, but there's a real danger that the Badgers could miss a bowl game this year. There's a wide range of outcomes this year, but I'm leaning toward a generally positive one for the Badgers, who could return a very experienced team in 2017 against a much easier schedule.

Schoville: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)

I think LSU is legitimately on upset alert in the opener against Wisconsin. Leonard Fournette has been banged up in camp, the Badgers are more talented than they were last season and the environment at Lambeau will be very pro-Badger. If they can snatch that game and sneak away with a win during the four-game gauntlet, they will be 4-3 with some good wins and with a downhill schedule. They could win out from that point, but chances are they will drop one of the final five match-ups and finish with four loses.

McNamara: New Era Pinstripe Bowl (ACC/ND vs. Big Ten)

Veldhuis: Foster Farms Bowl (Big Ten vs. Pac 12)

Schoville: Outback Bowl (Big Ten vs. SEC)

McNamara:

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oregon

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson

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No. 1 Alabama over No. 3 Clemson

Veldhuis:

No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Michigan

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Oklahoma

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No. 1 Clemson over No. 2 Alabama

Schoville:

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Clemson

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No. 2 Michigan over No. 1 Alabama

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John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.