Faion Hicks
Fans walk down steps in Kinnick Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Wisconsin, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin at Iowa 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 02:17 PM EST

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
Wisconsin traditionally wins games because of its running game and defense.

Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Spartans' re-tooled offense to face No. 8 Badgers' No. 1 D

By Keith Jenkins Oct. 11, 2019 03:00 AM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Mark Dantonio made some changes on the offensive side of the

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio shout to a player during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Taylor, No. 8 Wisconsin to host Big Ten foe Michigan State

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2019 03:23 PM EDT
Michigan State (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) at No. 8 Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst watches the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won eight games a season ago, its fewest since 2012 and fewest under coach Chryst. “You hope it’s a blip, right? And yet, that’s the beauty of this season,” said Chryst, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Badgers’ program. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin looks to prove '18 was a blip, claim West title

By Keith Jenkins Aug. 13, 2019 02:47 AM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin won eight games a season ago, its fewest since 2012

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm calls a play from the sideline against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin at Purdue 11/17/2018

Nov. 17, 2018 05:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2018 file photo Rutgers head coach Chris Ash looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in Piscataway, N.J. Rutgers faces Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Edwards, Connelly look to steady Wisconsin D against Rutgers

By Genaro C. Armas Nov. 02, 2018 11:58 AM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The rocks in the middle of the Wisconsin defense have had to

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, in Piscataway, N.J. Northwestern takes on Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 27. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Wisconsin looks to take Big Ten West lead from Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Oct. 26, 2018 10:52 AM EDT
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Though the playoff is out of reach, there are still some big

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 20 Wisconsin taking advantage of turnovers

By Dennis Semrau Oct. 22, 2018 06:15 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A banged-up defense can always feel better when it generates

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018 file photo Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards, center, blocks Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston, left, from quarterback Alex Hornibrook, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Iowa City. A loss at the Big House left Hornibrook and his teammates reassessing their goals. The playoffs are now out of reach for the 23rd-ranked Badgers after getting blown out at Michigan, though they still control their destiny in the Big Ten West. Win their last six regular season games, starting on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 against visiting Illinois, and the Badgers will go back to Indianapolis for the conference title game in December. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, file)
Division still in sight, No. 23 Wisconsin hosts Illini next

By Genaro C. Armas Oct. 19, 2018 02:39 AM EDT
A loss at the Big House left Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook and his teammates

Michigan running back Karan Higdon (22) carries against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 23 Wisconsin still has hope in Big Ten despite struggles

By Dennis Semrau Oct. 15, 2018 07:55 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Their playoffs hopes are all but gone. The defense is banged up.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst and athletic director Barry Alvarez watch warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Nebraska at Wisconsin 10/6/2018

Oct. 08, 2018 09:26 AM EDT

Wisconsin's Zack Baun, bottom, and Matt Hennigsen (92) tackle Western Kentucky running back Marquez Trigg during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 4 Wisconsin's young secondary looks to keep building

By Dennis Semrau Sep. 03, 2018 03:16 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new-look secondary hopes to build on a successful