Does Wisconsin play today? College football schedule 2025 for Badgers' next game after bye

Wisconsin football gets a reset this week.

And it sure is needed.

The Badgers, coming off back-to-back blowout losses, have the first of their two byes on the season in Week 5 on Saturday, Sept. 27.

It’s coming at as good of a time as ever. Luke Fickell’s team is licking its wounds as it’s in a world of hurt right now.

Injuries and poor execution from top to bottom has plagued this team a month into the season. Off the field, the noise around Fickell is growing louder as well, with fans chanting “Fire Fickell” throughout the 27-10 home loss to Maryland last week. That led to athletic director Chris McIntosh holding a post-game press conference where he publicly backed Fickell.

The Badgers (2-2) will come out of the bye with their toughest stretch of the season over the next month. Was the shellacking at the hands of Maryland rock bottom or is that still to come?

Here’s what to know about the Wisconsin football team’s schedule as it enjoys a day off:

Does Wisconsin football play today?

No, the Wisconsin Badgers have their first bye of the season on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The bye comes after a disastrous Big Ten opener last week against Maryland at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers trailed 20-0 at halftime and went on to lose 27-10 with fans booing loudly throughout and calling for Fickell to be fired as their frustrations over his tenure reached a tipping point. It was the Badgers’ first loss ever to Maryland.

Slow starts, including in the team’s two wins, have been the biggest issue with the Badgers in 2025. A key injury on the offensive line has caused major problems and starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. going down in the first week of the season hasn’t helped matters, either. Backup quarterback Danny O’Neil hasn’t measured up as he’s been prone to throwing interceptions. He also left hurt last week. Who will be the starting QB after the bye will be something to watch.

The special teams was a mess last week against Maryland as the unit had a blocked field goal and punt. And as the competition has improved, the explosive plays against the Badgers’ defense has been more prevalent.

It’s a lot to clean up for Fickell and his team as the Big Ten schedule ramps up quickly.

Wisconsin football’s next game

After its bye, Wisconsin has its first Big Ten road game of the season when it plays Michigan. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines are also on a bye this week.

Michigan, which beat Nebraska in its Big Ten opener, is 3-1 on the season. The game will feature the return of head coach Sherrone Moore, who faced a two-game school-imposed suspension related to the Wolverines’ years-long sign-stealing scandal.

Big Ten football standings

Here are the Big Ten standings four weeks into the season. Five teams will be playing in their Big Ten opener this weekend:

USC: 4-0, 2-0
Indiana: 4-0, 1-0
Maryland: 4-0, 1-0
Oregon: 4-0, 1-0
Iowa: 3-1, 1-0
Michigan: 3-1, 1-0
Ohio State: 3-0, 0-0
Penn State: 3-0, 0-0
Washington: 3-0, 0-0
Minnesota: 2-1, 0-0
UCLA: 0-3, 0-0
Illinois: 3-1, 0-1
Michigan State: 3-1, 0-1
Nebraska: 3-1, 0-1
Rutgers: 3-1, 0-1
Purdue: 2-2, 0-1
Wisconsin: 2-2, 0-1
Northwestern: 1-2, 0-1

Big Ten football games today: Week 5 schedule

Wisconsin football fans looking for intriguing games on the college football schedule in Week 5 can stay right in the Big Ten. There are two top 25 matchups, starting with USC-Illinois at 11 a.m., and ending with a top-10 matchup between Oregon and Penn State in a White Out under the lights in Happy Valley.

USC (21) at Illinois (23), 11 a.m.
Rutgers at Minnesota, 11 a.m.
Ohio State (1) at Washington, 2:30 p.m.
Indiana (11) at Iowa, 2:30 p.m.
UCLA at Northwestern, 2:30 p.m.
Oregon (6) at Penn State (3), 6:30 p.m.

The Badgers are one of six teams that have a bye in Week 5. The other teams off are Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Purdue and Nebraska.

Wisconsin football schedule 2025

Wisconsin is 2-2 after dropping its last two games. The Badgers are unlikely to be favored in any of their remaining games. The Badgers’ second bye comes Nov. 1 after a grueling four-game stretch.

Here’s the team’s full 2025 schedule: