Everything to know: Oregon football summer preview vs. Wisconsin Badgers
By Ethan Lee
The Oregon Ducks are set to face a pivotal conference matchup as they travel to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, for their first ever showdown against the Wisconsin Badgers as members of the Big Ten.
It’s safe to say that a lot has changed for both of these teams since the last time these the Ducks and the Badgers met up in a Rose Bowl as they are now both members of the Big Ten. So, as we get set to watch these two teams meet up, let’s go over everything Oregon fans need to know about this game (as things stand right now, that is).
Game Details: When and Where
- Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
- Kickoff: Time TBD
- Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Oregon's Big Ten debut season
The 2024 Oregon football season represents a pretty monumental move for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks as they compete in the Big Ten for the first time. The college football landscape has really experienced a seismic shift here.
And this game against Wisconsin is more than just another conference matchup. This is yet another opportunity for the Ducks to prove they belong among the better programs in the Big Ten. That shouldn’t be too hard for Oregon to prove, but it’s still something they have to prove.
The move over from the Pac-12 and into the Big Ten will bring plenty of new challenges. That includes different playing styles (the Big Ten has a very different sort of reputation for the way their teams operate), unfamiliar opponents (there are teams that Oregon has never played before, like Maryland!), and longer travel distances (thankfully Maryland is traveling to Eugene for that matchup and not the other way around).
How Oregon adapts to these changes will almost certainly define this season. The Ducks’ performance against established Big Ten teams like Wisconsin will be closely watched (and commented on) by fans and analysts alike.
Meet the Opponent: Wisconsin Badgers
Under head coach Luke Fickell, the Wisconsin Badgers continue to be known for their physical style of play and strong defense. However, they've also developed a more balanced offensive attack in recent years, making them a versatile and dangerous opponent. With Phil Longo as the offensive coordinator, Wisconsin is now utilizing the Air Raid (though it is a run-heavy brand of Air Raid).
Three Wisconsin Players to Watch
- Jake Chaney - linebacker: The senior linebacker keeps the Badgers' defense going. In 2023, he ranked second on the team with 80 tackles and added three sacks.
- Jack Nelson - offensive line: A redshirt senior offensive lineman, Nelson is experienced and will continue to be a key to Wisconsin's traditionally strong offensive line.
- Hunter Wohler - defensive back: Last season, Wohler managed to lead the Badgers and all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles.
Preview and prediction
Oregon’s high powered offense should be able to put up points with relative ease, but it’ll be interesting to see if Fickell and Longo have gotten their system installed all the way. The Badgers coaching staff would likely like to put up points with ease (Longo definitely has the reputation of an OC who likes to score in a hurry, sometimes to the detriment of his own team’s defense) and it’ll be fascinating to see if they can match Oregon’s offense.
I don’t anticipate that being the case here. Oregon has a ton of talent that is already established. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is still in the midst of rebuilding a bit. Expect Oregon to be able to win this one. But, it will be interesting to see what the Wisconsin weather in November is like for this contest.