The Wisconsin football team has one FCS team on their schedule: the South Dakota Coyotes.
Normally, FCS matchups are viewed as tune-up games and many Badger fans are probably viewing this matchup in a similar way. But we've seen FCS teams take down plenty of Power 5 schools before.
The Coyotes went 5-2 against ranked teams on their schedule last year. This is a quality program that should not be overlooked, even with Alabama coming to town the next week.
Game Info
When: Saturday, September 7- 2:30 PM
Where: Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, WI
TV: FS1
Radio: Badger Sports Network
History
The Badgers and Coyotes have met just twice all-time with Wisconsin leading the series 2-0. The last meeting was in 2011 when the Badgers were led by Russell Wilson en route to a 59-10 victory at Camp Randall.
The previous meeting was in 1975 when the Badgers soundly defeated the Coyotes, 48-7. The Badgers have outscored South Dakota 107-17 and beaten them by an average of 45 points per game.
Last Season
10-3 Overall; 7-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference
24 points per game (T-73rd of 122)
17.7 opp. points per game (8th of 122)
Lost to North Dakota State in FCS Playoffs - Quarterfinals
The Coyotes are coming off of a 10-3 season in 2023 where they played just one FBS team; Missouri, losing to the Tigers 10-35. But they also went on to beat powerhouse North Dakota State on the road, 24-19.
While offensively they are nothing to write home about, their defense was elite. They allowed just over 17 points per game (8th) and just 323 yards per game (25th). They were 18th in the FCS in passing yards allowed, giving up just 180 yards per game through the air.
The Coyotes finished second in the highly competitive Missouri Valley Conference, ahead of the North Dakota State Bison. They were ranked as high as No. 3 in the country before they fell to the Bison in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.
2024 Preview
The Coyotes are a contending FCS team. They enter the 2024 season ranked fifth in the FCS preseason top 25 rankings .
There's no reason to believe the Coyotes are trending down as a program. They are returning a good portion of their production, including seven players who were all-conference players a year ago.
Their offense returns nine starters, including quarterback Aiden Bouman, who started all 13 games for the Coyotes last year. He will have his weapons back too, most notable all-conference receiver, Carter Bell. Last season, Bouman threw for 2,551 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bell had 908 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The Coyotes also added Quaron Adams, a receiver from Iowa State, and tight end Hayden Erickson from Utah, through the transfer portal.
Yes, this is an FCS matchup, but this game probably won't be the normal cupcake game you'd expect from a team in a lower division. The Badgers can't afford to overlook the Coyotes with the Crimson Tide looming the next week.
This game has the potential to be a classic trap game.
Related: Wisconsin Football 2024 Preview: Western Michigan Broncos
Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball by visiting AllBadgers.com for more updates.
You can also follow Staff Writer Christian Borman at @ChristianBorman on X.
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