The 2025 Wisconsin soccer schedule has been launched, and it contains a difficult slate of opponents. The Badgers will open the season at residence in opposition to Kent State on August thirtieth. They’ll then journey to Notre Dame on September sixth for a extremely anticipated non-conference matchup. Wisconsin will return residence for its Huge Ten opener in opposition to Minnesota on September thirteenth. The Badgers will even face off in opposition to Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Iowa, and Nebraska throughout the common season. The schedule concludes with a house recreation in opposition to Illinois on November twenty ninth.
Wisconsin is coming off of a disappointing 2022 season, during which they completed with a 6-7 file. Nonetheless, the Badgers have plenty of expertise returning in 2023, and they’re anticipated to be aggressive within the Huge Ten West. The Badgers will probably be led by quarterback Graham Mertz, who’s coming into his third season as a starter. Mertz has proven flashes of brilliance, however he has additionally been inconsistent at occasions. If Mertz can take the following step in his improvement, the Badgers may very well be a shock group in 2023.
The Badgers’ protection can be anticipated to be sturdy in 2023. The Badgers return 9 starters from a protection that ranked among the many prime 25 within the nation in 2022. The Badgers are additionally anticipated to get a lift from the addition of a number of gifted transfers, together with defensive finish Nick Herbig from Oklahoma and security Titus Leo from Wagner. With a gifted roster and a difficult schedule, the Badgers are poised for a bounce-back season in 2023.
Preseason Predictions and Expectations
Nationwide Outlook
The Wisconsin Badgers enter the 2025 season with sky-high expectations. After a disappointing 2024 marketing campaign, head coach Luke Fickell has made important modifications to his teaching workers and roster. The Badgers are projected to complete within the prime 10 of each the AP and Coaches Polls, and they’re thought-about a reputable contender for the School Soccer Playoff.
Key Returners
Wisconsin returns a wealth of expertise from its 2024 squad. Quarterback Graham Mertz is again for his senior season, and he’s anticipated to be among the best passers within the nation. Operating backs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi are additionally again, they usually type one of the dynamic backfields within the nation.
On protection, the Badgers return a variety of key gamers, together with All-American linebacker Nick Herbig. Wisconsin’s protection is anticipated to be one of many hardest within the nation, and it ought to be capable to generate plenty of strain on opposing quarterbacks.
Key Losses
Wisconsin misplaced just a few key gamers from its 2024 squad, together with extensive receiver Jake Ferguson and offensive deal with Logan Bruss. Nonetheless, the Badgers have a variety of gifted gamers who’re able to step up and fill these roles.
Powerful Schedule
Wisconsin has a troublesome schedule in 2025, however it additionally has plenty of alternatives to make a press release. The Badgers open the season in opposition to a ranked opponent, they usually additionally should play highway video games in opposition to Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. Nonetheless, Wisconsin additionally has a variety of winnable video games on its schedule, and it ought to be capable to end the season with a 10-2 or 11-1 file.
Non-Convention Matchups
The Badgers’ non-conference schedule options a mixture of difficult and manageable opponents. They open the season with a house recreation in opposition to FCS opponent Japanese Illinois on September 1st, adopted by a visit to Charlotte to face off in opposition to the 49ers on September eighth.
Arguably the hardest check of the non-conference schedule is available in Week 3, when Wisconsin travels to Las Vegas to tackle Arizona State on September fifteenth. The Solar Devils, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, are a rising energy within the Pac-12 and can pose a big problem for the Badgers’ protection.
To spherical out the non-conference slate, Wisconsin welcomes Japanese Michigan to Camp Randall Stadium on September twenty second and travels to Purdue on September twenty ninth. The Eagles and Boilermakers are each beatable opponents, however they may nonetheless present some aggressive video games for the Badgers.
Opponent | Date | Location |
---|---|---|
Japanese Illinois | September 1st | Camp Randall Stadium |
at Charlotte | September eighth | Jerry Richardson Stadium |
at Arizona State | September fifteenth | Allegiant Stadium |
Japanese Michigan | September twenty second | Camp Randall Stadium |
at Purdue | September twenty ninth | Ross-Ade Stadium |
Huge Ten East Schedule
The Badgers will face their six Huge Ten East opponents in 2025, with residence video games in opposition to Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State and highway video games in opposition to Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.
Michigan
The Badgers will journey to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines on October 4th, 2025. Michigan is likely one of the most storied applications in faculty soccer, and the rivalry between the Badgers and Wolverines is likely one of the most heated within the Huge Ten. The Badgers have received the final two conferences between the 2 groups, however Michigan holds a 53-43-6 benefit within the all-time sequence.
Key Gamers
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Ohio State
The Badgers will host the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 18th, 2025. Ohio State is the defending School Soccer Playoff champion and is likely one of the most dominant groups within the nation. The Badgers haven’t defeated the Buckeyes since 2010, and Ohio State holds a 58-18-6 benefit within the all-time sequence.
Key Gamers
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Penn State
The Badgers will journey to State School to face the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 1st, 2025. Penn State is a perennial contender within the Huge Ten and has received the convention championship twice within the final 5 years. The Badgers have received two of the final three conferences between the 2 groups, however Penn State holds a 10-9 benefit within the all-time sequence.
Key Gamers
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Potential Lure Video games
Wisconsin’s 2025 soccer schedule options a number of potential entice video games that might derail their season. These video games are in opposition to unranked opponents or groups that aren’t anticipated to be main threats, however they may nonetheless pose a big problem to the Badgers.
Japanese Michigan (Residence, September 6)
Japanese Michigan is a member of the Mid-American Convention and went 7-6 in 2022. The Eagles aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Japanese Michigan has a stable offense led by quarterback Austin Smith, and their protection is enhancing below new head coach Chris Creighton.
New Mexico (Residence, September 13)
New Mexico is a member of the Mountain West Convention and went 3-9 in 2022. The Lobos aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. New Mexico has a dynamic offense led by quarterback Sheriron Jones, and their protection is enhancing below new head coach Danny Gonzales.
South Florida (Away, September 20)
South Florida is a member of the American Athletic Convention and went 1-11 in 2022. The Bulls aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. South Florida has a gifted offense led by quarterback Gerry Bohanon, and their protection is enhancing below new head coach Alex Golesh.
North Dakota (Residence, October 11)
North Dakota is a member of the Soccer Championship Sequence (FCS) and went 11-2 in 2022. The Combating Hawks aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. North Dakota has a stable offense led by quarterback Tommy Schuster, and their protection is likely one of the greatest within the FCS.
Illinois State (Residence, November 1)
Illinois State is a member of the Missouri Valley Soccer Convention (MVFC) and went 6-5 in 2022. The Redbirds aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Illinois State has a gifted offense led by quarterback Zack Annexstad, and their protection is enhancing below new head coach Brock Spack.
Bradley (Residence, November 22)
Bradley is a member of the Pioneer Soccer League (PFL) and went 3-8 in 2022. The Braves aren’t a serious menace to Wisconsin, however they may very well be a harmful opponent if the Badgers overlook them. Bradley has a stable offense led by quarterback Aidan Voss, and their protection is likely one of the greatest within the PFL.
Opponent | Date | Location |
---|---|---|
Japanese Michigan | September 6 | Residence |
New Mexico | September 13 | Residence |
South Florida | September 20 | Away |
North Dakota | October 11 | Residence |
Illinois State | November 1 | Residence |
Bradley | November 22 | Residence |
Wisconsin Soccer 2025 Schedule: A Preseason Preview
The Wisconsin Badgers soccer group will open the 2025 season at residence in opposition to the New Mexico State Aggies on September 6. The Badgers will then hit the highway for a matchup in opposition to the Oklahoma Sooners on September 13, earlier than returning residence to face the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 20. Wisconsin will journey to Champaign, Illinois to tackle the Combating Illini on September 27, earlier than returning residence for a showdown with the Michigan Wolverines on October 4. The Badgers will then face a bye week on October 11, earlier than touring to East Lansing, Michigan to tackle the Michigan State Spartans on October 18. Wisconsin will host the Northwestern Wildcats on October 25, earlier than touring to Lincoln, Nebraska to tackle the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 1. The Badgers will then return residence to face the Purdue Boilermakers on November 8, earlier than touring to Minneapolis, Minnesota to tackle the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 15. Wisconsin will shut out the common season at residence in opposition to the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 22.
Folks Additionally Ask
When is the Wisconsin soccer 2025 season opener?
The Wisconsin soccer 2025 season opener is scheduled for September 6, in opposition to the New Mexico State Aggies.
The place will the Wisconsin soccer group play their 2025 residence video games?
The Wisconsin soccer group will play their 2025 residence video games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Who’re the Wisconsin soccer group’s opponents in 2025?
The Wisconsin soccer group’s opponents in 2025 embody the New Mexico State Aggies, Oklahoma Sooners, Kent State Golden Flashes, Illinois Combating Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Northwestern Wildcats, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Purdue Boilermakers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Penn State Nittany Lions.