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Western Illinois vs Wisconsin matchup
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Wisconsin (0-1) hosts Western Illinois (1-1) Saturday night at Camp Randall, favored by 38.5 points.
The Badgers' home opener is a low-stakes rebound spot after a 41-13 loss.
Background
Wisconsin opened 2026 with a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame, a game that raised questions about the offense and left the Badgers 0-1. Western Illinois, an FCS program, sits at 1-1 after a 41-10 loss to Illinois State. The two teams have met just three times, all Wisconsin wins, and this is their first meeting since 2014. It is Wisconsin's 2026 home opener and the 110th season of football at Camp Randall Stadium.
How it unfolded
- Sep 10, 2026Wisconsin opponent previews publish ahead of the Badgers' Week 2 game against Western Illinois, set for Saturday evening at Camp Randall on Big Ten Network.
- Sep 11, 2026Journal Sentinel coverage team predicts the outcome; the Badgers are favored by 38.5 points. Bucky's 5th Quarter notes Wisconsin is still a 37.5-point favorite, its largest positive spread in quite some time.
- Sep 12, 2026Wisconsin opens its 2026 home slate against Western Illinois for the first time since 2014, when the Badgers won 37-3. Wisconsin has won 28 consecutive home openers against non-conference opponents dating to 1995.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Mark Stewart of the Journal Sentinel predicted Wisconsin 41, Western Illinois 3, saying the Badgers should control the game from the opening kickoff and get their top players out early.
- Analysts
- Scary Alvarez of Bucky's 5th Quarter predicted Wisconsin 34-6, calling Western Illinois a team the Badgers will handle in a game that is never in doubt, though it won't feel like cruise control until the second unit enters in the fourth quarter.