The Western Illinois Leathernecks visit the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Western Illinois is 1-1, having lost to Illinois State 41-10 last week, and Wisconsin is 0-1, having lost to Notre Dame 41-13.
Western Illinois has moved the ball through the air. Quarterback Kennedy McGill has thrown for 317 yards and added three rushing touchdowns, and the Leathernecks’ seven total touchdowns rank eighth-most in college football in the 2026 regular season.
Wisconsin’s offense struggled in its opener. Quarterback Colton Joseph completed 19 of 30 passes for 217 yards in his Wisconsin debut, and the Badgers were outscored 28-3 in the second quarter.
The Badgers are 38.5-point favorites over the Leathernecks at DraftKings, with a total of 51.5 and a moneyline of -20000 for the Badgers and +3500 for the Leathernecks.
Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.
How to Watch Western Illinois vs. Wisconsin
- When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET
- Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
- TV: BTN
- Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One
Players to Watch
Wisconsin is a 38.5-point favorite at home, but Joseph and the Badgers are looking to bounce back after a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame in which he threw for 217 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He now gets a Western Illinois defense that just allowed 41 points to Illinois State, a considerably lighter test than what Wisconsin saw in its opener. Cutting down on turnovers and building an early rhythm would help the Badgers validate their spot as a heavy favorite at Camp Randall. His performance is also the first real look at how Wisconsin’s offense responds after a lopsided loss.
Coleman gave Wisconsin a bright spot in an otherwise difficult opener, catching a touchdown and finishing with 76 receiving yards against Notre Dame. He gives Joseph a proven target as the Badgers try to get their offense on track against a Western Illinois defense that has already given up 41 points once this season. If Coleman keeps producing at that level, Wisconsin has a clear way to build the kind of margin its spread suggests. His involvement also takes some pressure off the running game as the Badgers look to reset.
Western Illinois is a massive underdog at Wisconsin, but McGill gives the Leathernecks a dual-threat weapon capable of putting up real numbers regardless of opponent. He has already thrown for 317 yards and two touchdowns this season while adding 116 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. That production came before Western Illinois’ 41-10 loss to Illinois State, so this matchup is a chance to show it wasn’t a one-week outlier. Against a Wisconsin defense that has yet to face a quarterback with McGill’s rushing ability, his legs could be the Leathernecks’ best chance to make plays.
Anaya has been Western Illinois’ most productive receiver this season, already totaling 166 receiving yards. He gives McGill a proven downfield option as the Leathernecks try to avoid a blowout against a heavily favored Wisconsin team. Anaya’s ability to create separation matters even more on the road, where Western Illinois will need explosive plays to keep pace with the Badgers’ scoring. If he keeps producing at his current rate, Western Illinois has at least one matchup it can lean on against a much bigger program.
Western Illinois vs. Wisconsin Odds
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