Wisconsin Football 2024 Preview: Western Michigan Broncos

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football team will open their 2024 campaign against the Western Michigan Broncos.

After a disappointing first season leading the Badgers, Fickell should have a chance to get off to a hot start in 2024. The Broncos are a program attempting to rebuild. They never quite recovered after PJ Fleck left the team to lead Minnesota after their 2016 season.

Game Info

When: Friday, August 30 - 8:00 PM
Where: Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, WI
TV: FS1
Radio: Badger Sports Network

History

The Badgers and Broncos have met just five times. Wisconsin holds a 4-1 lead in the series. Their most recent meeting was when the Badgers downed the PJ Fleck-led Broncos in the Cotton Bowl, 24-16, ending their undefeated season.

Wisconsin currently has a two-game win streak in the series. Their only loss to Western Michigan was in 1988 when they lost 14-24 at Camp Randall in a season where the Badgers went 1-10.

Last Season

4-8 Overall; 3-5 in MAC
23.7 points per game (91st of 133)
31.8 opp. points per game (109th of 133)
2023 SOS: 119th of 133

The program's first year under head coach Lance Taylor was a struggle.

The Broncos played three Power 5 teams last year. In those games, they allowed at least 41 points, including a 10-41 loss to Iowa last year, who averaged just 15.4 points per game, second-to-last in the entire country.

The offense wasn't a whole lot better, averaging 23.7 points per game and putting up just 365 yards per game.

The kicker is the Broncos struggled while playing one of the weakest schedules in the country, according to ESPN's strength of schedule rankings, putting them at 119 out of 133 total teams.

2024 Preview

The Broncos are expected to improve from their rough 2023 season. Their current win total via FanDuel is 6.5 games, with the over being juiced at -115.

They brought in some transfers from Power 4 programs including Popeye Williams from Louisville, who is expected to make a difference in their pass rush.

They also strengthened their receiver room by adding Devaughn 'Bugs' Mortimer, a 4-star transfer from Louisiana Monroe. Last season, Mortimer averaged 19.4 yards per catch.

Quarterback Hayden Wolff is their top returning starting QB after Treyson Bourguet transferred to BYU. Last season, Wolff threw for 1,505 yards in eight games adding eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Badgers enter this game as 24.5-point favorites as the FanDuel odds currently stand. This game should allow the Badgers to get the offense going early and start working out some kinks before they host Alabama two weeks later.

Related: Wisconsin Football Lands Commitment From 3-Star Defensive Lineman

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You can also follow Staff Writer Christian Borman at @ChristianBorman on X.