Phil Steele’s 2026 Outlook for the Wisconsin Badgers

Steele’s Big Ten Projection for Wisconsin

College football analyst Phil Steele rolled out his 350‑page 2026 preview magazine, which contains multiple mentions of the Badgers. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Steele places Wisconsin 12th in the Big Ten, marking an improvement but still leaving them in the conference’s bottom third. The teams he ranks below the Badgers are Northwestern, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan State, Maryland, and Purdue. The analyst also notes that an easier schedule and offseason investment give the program reason to hope for progress.

Where the Badgers Shine: Top‑Half Position Groups

Steele’s rankings highlight Wisconsin’s defensive line as No. 8 and the quarterback unit as No. 9 in the Big Ten—two of the few groups in the top half. The linebacker corps, anchored by Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, earns the No. 1 spot among conference linebackers. These two areas provide the Badgers with a foundation for competitiveness next season.

Challenges on the Horizon: Bottom‑Third Rankings

Offensive depth lags behind, with the running back group placed No. 13, the offensive line at No. 15, and the defensive backs sitting No. 14 out of 18 teams. Despite the low marks, Steele believes the secondary has progressed compared to the 2025 squad. The lower rankings suggest the Badgers will need to improve multiple units to move up the conference table.

What It Means for 2026

The blend of an easier schedule, offseason additions, and strengths in defense could set up a step‑forward season for Wisconsin. However, the true gauge of any rise will be the September games, where real‑world results replace preseason projections. If the Badgers can translate their invested work onto the field, they may climb beyond the 12th spot; otherwise they will likely remain near the bottom third of the Big Ten.