You're probably staring at your screen or checking your sportsbook app wondering why the score of the Badger football game today is nowhere to be found. Honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown if you were gearing up for a Saturday at Camp Randall or a road trip to a Big Ten rival.
The reality is pretty simple. There is no game.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. The Wisconsin Badgers finished their 2025 football season weeks ago. If you’re looking for a final score from "today," you’re going to be looking for a long time because the goalposts have been taken down and the turf is likely under a layer of Madison frost.
The harsh reality of the 2025 season finish
Wisconsin’s 2025 campaign didn't exactly end on a high note. They finished the regular season with a 4-8 record. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program that prides itself on being a consistent force in the Big Ten.
Their last outing was back on November 29, 2025. They played Minnesota for Paul Bunyan’s Axe and, unfortunately for the Badger faithful, they dropped that one 17-7.
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Because they didn't hit that magical six-win threshold, they weren't bowl-eligible. While other teams were out in December and early January playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl or the Pinstripe Bowl, Luke Fickell’s squad was already back in the lab—or at least in the transfer portal—trying to figure out what went wrong.
It’s been a weird year for the Big Ten in general. We've seen Indiana, of all teams, turn into a juggernaut. They’re actually preparing for a National Championship appearance against either Ole Miss or Miami on January 19. Seeing the Hoosiers at the top while the Badgers are home for the winter is... well, it’s a lot to process for anyone who grew up watching Wisconsin dominate the trenches.
If you’re seeing scores, it’s probably basketball
If you saw a headline about a "Badger win" in the last 48 hours, you’ve almost certainly got the wrong sport. The Wisconsin men’s basketball team is actually on a bit of a heater right now.
Just this past Tuesday, January 13, the basketball team went into Minneapolis and beat the Gophers 78-75. It was a classic. John Blackwell hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer that silenced the crowd at Williams Arena. Braeden Carrington had a career-high 21 points.
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They also had a massive win against #2 Michigan on January 10, winning 91-88. So, if you’re looking for a score to celebrate, look toward the hardwood, not the gridiron. The basketball team is ranked and looks like they might actually make a deep run in March.
Looking ahead: The 2026 schedule is already set
Since there's no score of the Badger football game today, the next best thing is looking at when we actually get to see them again. The 2026 schedule has some absolute bangers on it.
- September 6, 2026: Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (at Lambeau Field). This is a Sunday game and it’s going to be massive.
- September 12, 2026: Western Illinois comes to Camp Randall.
- September 19, 2026: Eastern Michigan visits Madison (this was a recent change, replacing the Pitt game).
The Big Ten schedule for 2026 is going to be a gauntlet. We know they’ll be hosting Michigan State, Rutgers, Minnesota, and USC. They’ve also got road trips to Iowa, Maryland, Penn State, Purdue, and UCLA.
How to track the Badgers in the off-season
Even though the score of the Badger football game today is a non-starter, the team is busy. This is the peak of the "Roster Construction" season.
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Coach Fickell has been active. Just a few days ago, on January 14, Posa earned Freshman All-America honors, which is a rare bright spot for the defense. On January 7, they added Jayden Everett to the coaching staff to help shore up some of the offensive woes.
Basically, if you want to stay in the loop, you should be watching the transfer portal. With the way 2025 went—especially that 12.8 points per game average which ranked near the bottom of the entire country—expect a lot of new faces in the receiver room and along the offensive line by the time spring ball rolls around.
Wait for the spring game in April if you really need a football fix. Until then, grab a jersey and head to the Kohl Center because basketball is the only game in town right now.
To get ready for the next season, start by tracking the 2026 recruiting class rankings on 247Sports or On3 to see if the defensive line depth is finally being addressed. You can also monitor the official UW Badgers site for the announcement of the 2026 Spring Game date, which usually drops in late February.