Favorable 2013 Schedule Makes Wisconsin Badgers Big Ten Favorite


Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports

The Wisconsin Badgers have won three-straight Big Ten Championships and will be going for number four in 2013 with a new head coach in Gary Andersen. They face plenty of competition to get there and will need to do better than their eight-win effort in 2012. Helping them out will be 15 starters coming back on offense and defense and a favorable schedule that opens the way for the Badgers to reign over their conference once again.

Overall, Wisconsin faces just one road game that seems like it will be a major hurdle. On September 28, they have to travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes who have BCS National Championship aspirations in 2013. That showdown may prove to be the deciding game in the race for the Leaders Division next season as Wisconsin and Ohio State look to be the clear front runners for the division title.

Beyond that, Wisconsin enjoys a very favorable conference schedule. Their other road games come against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers who combined for four total conference wins last season. The Badgers also avoid playing Legends Division heavy-weights like the Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines and Nebraska Cornhuskers, which makes the road to Indianapolis that much easier.

The talent is in Madison for the Badgers to repeat once again if they can overcome the hurdle of Ohio State, the rest of the schedule sets up for them to once again head to Pasadena as the representative of the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl Game.

You can follow me on Twitter @Teeblerone and Rant Sports@RantSports

Be sure to check out the Rant Sports 100 in 100 Series, a preview of the top 100 College Football Teams for the 2013 Season!



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