Where Wisconsin football ranks in ESPN SP+ entering spring practice
The Wisconsin Badgers enter spring practice at No. 61 in ESPN's SP+ rankings for the 2026 college football season. The rating metric, updated by Bill Connelly earlier this week, weighs each team's returning production, recent history, recent recruiting and coaching to project its quality.
Unlike the AP Poll and other resume-based ranking systems, SP+ focuses squarely on team quality. For that reason, Wisconsin's place in the Big Ten is notable; the team is No. 15 in the conference, according to SP+, ahead of only Rutgers, Michigan State and Purdue.
The Badgers' recent track record informs their poor position entering the season. The team is just 9-15 over its last two seasons, and 16-21 overall in three years under Luke Fickell. While the team's 2026 schedule should be easier than its 2025 slate, it is just 10-17 against Big Ten opponents under Fickell, including a 2-7 mark in 2025.
All signs point toward it needing a significant jump in quality if a better record and bowl appearance are to follow. Wisconsin will roll out a new-look lineup this fall after another busy transfer cycle. As has been the case entering each of the last three seasons, transfer quarterback Colton Joseph's play will go a long way toward deciding whether Wisconsin experiences a resurgence.
While projections are just projections, it's worth noting that SP+ appears skeptical of the Badgers' chances. That noted, there is one piece of good news for Wisconsin fans: the team plays each of the three Big Ten teams ranked below it in SP+'s early forecast. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football spring practice ESPN SP+ ranking