The Wisconsin Badgers may not be making headlines in the national rankings, but there's finally some good news for a fanbase that's been waiting for a return to postseason play. On3's Brett McMurphy has released his way-too-early bowl projections, and he's predicting the Badgers will snap their two-year bowl drought by facing Kansas in the 2026 Rate Bowl.

For those who've been following the program closely, this is a significant turnaround. Under head coach Luke Fickell, Wisconsin saw its remarkable streak of 22 consecutive bowl appearances come to a halt in 2024. Then, the 2025 season brought more disappointment, leaving the Badgers without a bowl game for two straight years—a situation that's understandably tested the patience of the fanbase.

McMurphy's projection offers a glimmer of hope, even if it doesn't include a specific win-loss record. The Rate Bowl, held in Phoenix, Arizona, typically takes place the day after Christmas, giving Badgers fans a familiar destination to plan for. Wisconsin has history with this bowl, having defeated Oklahoma State 24-17 in the same game back on December 27, 2022.

For a program that once defined itself by consistent postseason appearances, getting back to a bowl game would be a major step in the right direction. Whether this projection holds up remains to be seen, but for now, Badgers fans can start dreaming of a holiday trip to the desert—and maybe even a victory to match.