Zack Baun
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, Wisconsin's Isaiahh Loudermilk (97) and Leon Jacobs celebrate after a sack of Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin traditionally wins games primarily because of its running game and defense. Now that Jonathan Taylor has moved on to the NFL, that would seem to put more pressure on the defense to carry the load as the Badgers’ offense adjusts to life without the two-time Doak Walker Award winner. The defense looks forward to that challenge. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin's veteran defense ready for bigger responsibility

By Steve Megargee Oct. 19, 2020 05:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photoWisconsin's Graham Mertz reacts to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan in Madison, Wis. Mertz is about to get his chance to show he’s worthy of all the acclaim that accompanied his arrival on campus last year. Now that foot surgery has sidelined returning starter Jack Coan indefinitely, Mertz is likely to open the season as the 16th-ranked Badgers’ first-team quarterback. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
No. 16 Badgers ready to contend again after offseason losses

By Steve Megargee Oct. 14, 2020 10:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin will head into spring practice with plenty of questions as the Badgers attempt to replace their top playmakers from a team that reached the Rose Bowl last season. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
Chryst stays patient as Badgers prepare for spring practice

By Steve Megargee Mar. 09, 2020 03:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) tackles Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) for a loss during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in College Station, Texas. Jennings was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Herbert, other Senior Bowl players hope staying put pays off

By John Zenor Jan. 23, 2020 03:53 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) celebrates after sacking Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 7 Oregon faces No. 11 Wisconsin in 106th Rose Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2019 11:10 AM EST

Ducks, Badgers approach pomp of Rose Bowl in different ways

By Dan Greenspan Dec. 26, 2019 06:51 PM EST
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Oregon and Wisconsin are taking contrasting approaches to everything that comes before the Rose Bowl. Ducks coach...

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Minnesota defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. (11) gestures during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, in Minneapolis. Winfield was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
AP All-America teams dominated by LSU, Ohio State

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 16, 2019 12:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Iowa place kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates with teammate Colten Rastetter after kicking a 45-yard field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Iowa City, Iowa. Duncan was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ohio State leads the pack in AP All-Big Ten top honors

By Eric Olson Dec. 11, 2019 12:06 PM EST

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) holds out Paul Bunyan's Axe for fans to touch after Wisconsin beat Minnesota 38-17 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
No. 10 Wisconsin used bye to rally to Big 10 title game

By Keith Jenkins Dec. 02, 2019 08:13 PM EST

Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
As Gophers aim for title game, Badgers seek to take back Axe

By Dave Campbell Nov. 29, 2019 10:21 AM EST

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) falls to his knees after failing to pick up a first down against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Purdue defeated Nebraska 31-27. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Huskers brace for No. 15 Badgers’ Taylor-led rushing attack

By Eric Olson Nov. 15, 2019 03:00 AM EST

Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 24-22. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 15 Badgers carry their West hopes with them to Nebraska

By The Associated Press Nov. 14, 2019 04:31 PM EST

Iowa's Nate Stanley throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 24-22. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Taylor's big day helps No. 16 Badgers edge No. 18 Iowa 24-22

By Keith Jenkins Nov. 09, 2019 08:23 PM EST

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 13 Wisconsin looks for redemption against No. 3 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 25, 2019 11:45 AM EDT

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day looks out over the field during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Northwestern Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Ohio State won 52-3. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Day: Wisconsin loss doesn't diminish matchup with Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 22, 2019 03:15 PM EDT

Penn State coach James Franklin, right, and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, left, meet after an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Penn State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Week before showdown, Wisconsin exposed

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 19, 2019 10:01 PM EDT

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) returns an interception for a touchdown against Michigan State wide receiver C.J. Hayes (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 6 Wisconsin hits the road against underdog Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 18, 2019 11:21 AM EDT

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, left, talks with wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) after a defensive pass interference call on Illinois in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Ohio State, Wisconsin take top midseason awards in Big Ten

By Eric Olson Oct. 17, 2019 03:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Madison, Wis. Taylor was selected to the AP Midseason All-America NCAA college football team, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
AP Midseason All-America Team: Burrow, Taylor lead 1st team

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 15, 2019 12:03 PM EDT