Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

The Wisconsin Badgers are looking to turn things around in 2026 after a couple of disappointing seasons, and there has been some growing optimism around the team this year.

Wisconsin still has to prove things on the field, and head coach Luke Fickell is still on the hot seat, but they’ll have the opportunity to get back on track with a better roster (on paper) and an easier schedule in 2026.

Well, that has led to the Badgers being one of the biggest risers in The Athletic’s preseason FBS rankings, jumping from No. 80, where they finished last season, to No. 54, falling just behind Vanderbilt (No. 51), UTSA (No. 52), and Tulane (No. 53).

“Coach Luke Fickell enters on the hot seat, but Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph can provide a spark, and a defense that was legitimately good last year should still be solid,” The Athletic’s Chris Vannini wrote.

At No. 54, the Badgers are ahead of Nebraska (No. 58), Northwestern (No. 60), UCLA (No. 65), Michigan State (No. 72), Maryland (No. 73), Rutgers (No. 79), and Purdue (No. 97), ranking them No. 11 in the Big Ten.

There is a big gap between Wisconsin and the No. 10 Big Ten team (Minnesota), which ranks No. 39 in the preseason rankings, marking a tier gap in the conference.

With a 26-spot rise, the Badgers join Virginia Tech (No. 91 to No. 47), South Carolina (No. 69 to No. 32), Florida (No. 67 to No. 31), Oklahoma State (No. 123 to No. 22), Boise State (No. 50 to No. 21), and LSU (No. 42 to No. 8) as the biggest risers in the rankings this season.

Are the Badgers too high? Too low? Or just right in the latest preseason rankings?