Wisconsin Faces Toughest Big Ten Football Schedule In 2025

The 2025 college football season presents some of the toughest schedules for major programs, with Wisconsin Badgers facing a particularly challenging slate that includes three top championship contenders: Alabama, Ohio State, and Oregon. Wisconsin's schedule is considered the hardest in the Big Ten by CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford, with many difficult games on the road, including trips to Alabama, Michigan, and Indiana. Indiana, coming off an 11-2 season, will also face a tough schedule with three top-10 teams—Penn State, Oregon, and Illinois—highlighting the Big Ten's overall competitiveness. Syracuse football, coming off a strong previous season, is set to face one of the nation's most grueling schedules, including road games at Clemson, Miami, Notre Dame, and a neutral-site opener against Tennessee, all programs with playoff aspirations. The strength of these schedules reflects broader shifts in college football, with many opponents bolstered by transfers, coaching changes, and elite recruiting. Meanwhile, in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the more difficult 2025 schedules, ranking 24th toughest, though not the hardest in the league.