Some well-known programs will once again be missing from Wisconsin's Big Ten football schedule in 2015. And whether their absence is good or bad depends on your perspective.
Wisconsin will not play traditional powers Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State in 2015 — the same setup the Badgers have for the 2014 season. Instead, Wisconsin will play only Rutgers and Maryland from the Big Ten's East Division.
The Big Ten announced its 2015 league schedule on Monday.
Although games against the Big Ten's elite teams excite Wisconsin's fan base, the Badgers could be in better position to make a run to the conference championship without playing those games in 2015. The new scheduling format is a result of the Big Ten moving to seven-team East and West divisions in 2014 with the addition of Rutgers and Maryland to the conference. It means Wisconsin will only play two teams every year from the East.
Rutgers and Maryland serve as Wisconsin's East Division opponents for a second straight season. The Badgers take on the Scarlet Knights at home on Oct. 31, and they travel to face the Terrapins on Nov. 7.
Wisconsin's schedule features three home games in October, including a matchup with rival Iowa to begin league play on Oct. 3. The Hawkeyes last played in Camp Randall Stadium in 2009, and the teams haven't met since 2010. Wisconsin will travel to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes for the Heartland Trophy in 2014.
Wisconsin has a bye week Nov. 14 and closes the regular-season schedule with a home game against Northwestern on Nov. 21 and a road game against rival Minnesota on Nov. 28 for the Paul Bunyan Axe trophy.
The 2015 Big Ten championship game will be held Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Here is Wisconsin's entire Big Ten schedule for the 2015 season. Home games in CAPS:
Oct. 3: IOWA
Oct. 10: at Nebraska
Oct. 17: PURDUE
Oct. 24: at Illinois
Oct. 31: RUTGERS
Nov. 7: at Maryland
Nov. 14: Bye
Nov. 21: NORTHWESTERN
Nov. 28: at Minnesota
Dec. 5: Big Ten championship game
Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter.
