Ben Kenney
June 3, 2024 7:11 am CT
We are kicking off the month of June here at Badgers Wire looking ahead to each aspect of Wisconsin’s 2024 football schedule. Today that focus is on the opposing defenses, as the Badgers are set to face a collection of some of the nation’s best units.
Wisconsin enters the 2024 campaign needing a resurgent season from its offense in year two under Phil Longo. The unit finished 2023 ranked No. 93 in points per game, No. 71 in yards per game and No. 83 in yards per play. Those marks would fall short of expectations for any Wisconsin offense, let alone one that is supposed to revolutionize the program.
Related:Anonymous Big Ten coaches weigh in on Wisconsin football in 2024
A slow start is understandable given that it was year one after a program facelift. But there aren’t any excuses entering year two after real improvements across the roster and another full offseason of preparation.
One problem: the 2023 offense faced a Big Ten West schedule that lacked some of the sport’s premier programs. 2024 is a different story, as the team will face one of the sport’s toughest schedules.
How tough could it be on Phil Longo’s offense? Here is our ranking of the defenses Wisconsin will face in Big Ten play in 2024:
(Plus our ranking of the head coaches and quarterbacks)
10
Honorable Mention: Alabama Crimson Tide
April 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer coaches his team during practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
SP+ Defense Rating: 14.6 (No. 8)
2023 Team Defense: No. 18 (316.0 yards allowed per game)
Alabama is not a Big Ten game, so it isn’t included in the actual ranking. The Crimson Tide would be No. 4 if it included the entire schedule.
That means Wisconsin faces four of the nation’s top-eight defenses this season, including a few top-tier blue bloods.
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis, and opinions onRoll Tide Wire
9
USC Trojans
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 30.5 (No. 87)
2023 Team Defense: No. 119 (432.8 yards allowed per game)
USC’s defense was horrific in 2023. It finished the season with SP+’s No. 105-ranked unit — which might be generous given its counting statistics. New defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn takes over for Alex Grinch (who now coaches at Wisconsin) looking to reverse the unit’s course.
The group will be better in 2024. But I wouldn’t bet on a sizable improvement.
Get more (USC) news, analysis, and opinions onTrojans Wire
8
Purdue Boilermakers
Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches his team play against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 28.5 (No. 68)
2023 Team Defense: No. 69 (382.1 yards allowed per game)
Purdue head coach Ryan Walters is a former defensive coordinator, so I’d expect the unit to turn around eventually. 2024 may be a bit premature, especially after the unit saw top edge rusher Nic Scourton enter the transfer portal after last season.
7
Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 4, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun looks on during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 20.3 (No. 29)
2023 Team Defense: No. 36 (340.8 yards allowed per game)
Northwestern is 1/1 in having good defenses in the post-Pat Fitzgerald era. The team only returns 64% of its production from 2023, however, and is likely due for a regression.
6
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck watches a replay against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 18.8 (No. 22)
2023 Team Defense: No. 56 (368.4 yards allowed per game)
Minnesota returns 74% of production from a defense that was solid in 2023. P.J. Fleck has had good defenses more often than not, so a resurgent year should be expected from that side of the ball.
5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 18.6 (No. 20)
2023 Team Defense: No. 16 (313.5 yards allowed per game)
This appears to be the year for Greg Schiano and Rutgers. He returns 75% of production from a breakout 2023 defense. The program will be good again on that side of the ball and pose a scary upset threat.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis, and opinions onRutgers Wire
4
Oregon Ducks
Sep 30, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning walks on the field before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 17.2 (No. 14)
2023 Team Defense: No. 22 (318.4 yards allowed per game)
These top four defenses are not just the top on Wisconsin’s schedule, they’re some of the top in the nation.
Oregon will have the defense to compete for the Big Ten title immediately upon entering the league. Head coach Dan Lanning was previously a top defensive coordinator at Georgia and brought that identity to the Ducks.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis, and opinions onDucks Wire
3
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 12.5 (No. 6)
2023 Team Defense: No. 11 (303.5 yards allowed per game)
Nebraska had one of the nation’s best defenses in year one under Matt Rhule. Now the program returns most of that unit and gets another offseason for upgrades and improvements.
The question with the Cornhuskers is the offense and five-star QB Dylan Raiola. The defense will again be phenomenal.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis, and opinions onCornhuskers Wire
2
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 9.3 (No. 4)
2023 Team Defense: No. 2 (247.6 yards allowed per game)
Penn State finished 2023 with the nation’s second-best defense behind only Michigan. The Nittany Lions will again be a trendy upset Big Ten title pick entering 2024 — much of it due to that defensive unit.
This trip to Madison will be a defensive battle. It is yet to be seen whether Longo’s unit can excel against the nation’s top-ranked defenses.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
1
Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Defense Rating: 4.7 (No. 2)
2023 Team Defense: No. 7 (282.5 yards allowed per game)
Another year, another incredible Iowa defense.
This matchup will again be the Big Ten’s new (Phil Longo) against its old (Iowa’s entire identity). The Hawkeyes won this matchup 15-6 in 2023. 2024 could see a similar result if the Badgers don’t take big steps forward offensively.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis, and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
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