Wisonsin Football: The Ins and Outs, Highs and Lows of the 2012 Schedule

Wisconsin is coming off their second consecutive 11-win season. This year they hope to repeat the same success, but finish it off with their first bowl win since 2009.

For the Badgers, it may be easier said than done as they have a few issues on both sides of the ball with so many players leaving. They still have to discover who their quarterback is, find playmakers on offense besides Montee Ball, and fix the defensive line.

Good news is that the Big Ten schedule did give them a few breaks, so another solid season isn't out of reach for Wisconsin.

As we get closer to kicking off the regular season, here's your 2012 Wisconsin Badgers complete schedule breakdown.

Easiest Game

Did you know Northern Iowa had a football team? Me neither.

Toughest Game

Wisconsin and Michigan State last season gave us a couple of historic matchups that we'll remember for a very long time.

Once again it appears the Spartans could provide the Badgers with this season's toughest test. Michigan State is rebuilding on offense, but returns eight starters from a defense that was ranked sixth in the country.

Running back Montee Ball won't be able to do everything for this team, and others will have to step up on offense for Wisconsin to have a chance.

Potential Blowout

UTEP returns seven starters on offense, but the defense that allowed 30 points per contest and 192 rushing yards a game is all I can focus on.

Expect to see Ball have a field day in this game versus the Miners, as the Badgers should win this game fairly easily.

Potential for Disaster

Nebraska was blown out in last year’s meeting, but there's one team that returns intact, and there's another that doesn't.

The Cornhuskers bring back eight starters on both sides of the ball and appear to have fewer questions on both sides of the ball.

Nebraska has the playmakers on offense and has an okay defense that doesn't have many holes to fill. They're also playing in Lincoln, which isn't the easiest place to win.

The first four games for the Badgers are fairly easy; this game could possibly provide Bret Bielema's squad the first loss of the season.

Most Intriguing Matchup

Last season's game against the Buckeyes provided us with a thrilling outcome. We shouldn't expect any different in this matchup.

Wisconsin remains a talented team despite how many players have left their squad. Ohio State, meanwhile, returns 19 starters, including 10 on defense. There's also a new head coach with some guy named Urban Meyer running the show now.

Then you have the battle between dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller and the question of how the Wisconsin defense plans to attack him.

This is one of the more interesting matchups on the Badgers schedule.

Trap Game

Who cares if Indiana only won one game last season and Wisconsin has won the last seven games against the Hoosiers?

Indiana returns 17 starters from a year ago, including their signal-caller. This is a very young team that should at least double their win total.

Seriously though, this game will be played in Bloomington, IN and is sandwiched between the matchups with Michigan State and Ohio State.

Wisconsin must avoid the letdown and show up for a solid 30 minutes to earn this victory.

Rivalry Game Prediction

This is one of the few rivalry games that doesn't quite deserve a serious breakdown.

The Badgers have won the last eight games in this meeting and this does't look like it's going to change anytime soon, especially if the Golden Gophers play as horrible as they did last season.

Minnesota does return their starting quarterback and 10 other players from a year ago, but this is a team that struggled mightily to score and was just as bad at keeping opponents out of the end zone.

I don't see things changing that drastically to where Minnesota can compete in this game.

Wisconsin wins: 45-17

Upset Special

Purdue has the potential to be a surprise team in the Big Ten in 2012 if they can play with any type of consistency.

They return 15 starters from a team that won seven games last year, and was ranked in the middle of the pack in scoring offense and scoring defense.

The Boilermakers are loaded at running back, have weapons at wide receiver, and on defense they forced 21 turnovers last season.

Wisconsin has won the last six games against Purdue, with five of those coming by double-digits. But with this game being played in Ross-Ade Stadium; things could get interesting if the Badgers aren't careful.

Heisman Highlight Game

We know what Montee Ball is capable of and he'll likely earn a trip back to New York this season.

The game he has to step up to the plate and play well in is the matchup with Nebraska. It's a prime-time game against a solid top-25 team at Lincoln.

Part of winning the Heisman is about getting as much attention as possible early on in the season. A solid game against the Cornhuskers would be big for his Heisman cause moving forward with a couple of big games left on the schedule.

Last season against Nebraska, Ball had one of his best games, rushing for 151 yards and scoring four touchdowns.

Must-Win Game

Wisconsin has a fairly easy schedule in 2012, which gives them hope for possibly returning to the Big Ten Championship Game in a weak Leaders Division.

But the last game against the Penn State Nittany Lions may decide who moves on to battle for conference supremacy versus the Legends.

Penn State only returns five starters on both sides of the ball and have a new head coach.

Although the game is being played in Happy Valley, a place the Badgers haven't won since 2003, this should be a well-fought game throughout and may be a must-win if Wisconsin will like to accomplish the goals they set out for themselves.