Graham Mertz
FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. A Buckeyes attack that led the nation with 561 yards and nearly 46 points per game returns quarterback C.J. Stroud, leading receiver Smith-Njigba, 1,200-yard rusher TreVeyon Henderson and an experienced offensive line anchored by 6-foot-8, 360-pound right tackle Dawand Jones. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Pouring caution on that optimism

By Ralph D. Russo 17 hrs ago

FILE - Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) and Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst confer after defeating Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. After playing in five of the first seven Big Ten championship games, the Badgers have made it to Indianapolis just once in the last four years. They blew a chance to get there in 2021 by losing at Minnesota in their regular-season finale. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
No. 18 Badgers seek to reclaim status as Big Ten contenders

By Steve Megargee Aug. 15, 2022 01:00 PM EDT

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Badgers' Mertz confident he can improve his consistency

By Steve Megargee Aug. 02, 2022 07:00 PM EDT

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, left, and associate head coach Mickey Joseph watch from the sideline during the second half of Nebraska's NCAA college football annual red-white spring game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 9, 2022. The white team defeated the red team 43-39. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Coordinator changes add intrigue to Big Ten spring practices

By Steve Megargee Apr. 20, 2022 02:09 PM EDT

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is shown during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT

FILE - Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Chryst says he never personally spoke with Caleb Williams when the former Oklahoma quarterback was considering potential transfer destinations before choosing Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Badgers' Chryst says he never spoke directly to Williams

By Steve Megargee Mar. 21, 2022 04:38 PM EDT

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) runs against Wisconsin during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)
Allen, Wisconsin hold off Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

By Danny Webster Dec. 31, 2021 02:12 AM EST

FILE - Exterior view of the Allegiant Stadium before the Las Vegas Raiders played the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is adding the NFL’s crown jewel with the Super Bowl coming to cap the 2023 season. The league’s biggest event will follow the Pro Bowl this season and the NFL draft next year. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Badgers, Sun Devils carry Las Vegas Bowl into new stadium

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2021 11:23 PM EST

Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota chops down No. 18 Wisconsin 23-13 to take back Axe

By Dave Campbell Nov. 27, 2021 07:53 PM EST

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Wisconsin at Minnesota 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 05:57 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass as Nebraska linebacker Damian Jackson (38) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Gophers lean on leader Morgan as surging Badgers, Axe arrive

By Dave Campbell Nov. 26, 2021 10:11 AM EST

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst congratulates running back Braelon Allen on a touchdown against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Wisconsin aims for another Big Ten West title vs. Minnesota

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) is lifted into the air by running back Zamir White (3) and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Places change but teams remain same

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 22, 2021 03:44 AM EST

Wisconsin wide receiver Stephan Bracey (10) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Nebraska at Wisconsin 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:39 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Mertz making strides during No. 19 Wisconsin's win streak

By Steve Megargee Nov. 17, 2021 04:10 PM EST

Northwestern's Stephon Robinson Jr. catches a pass in front of Wisconsin's Caesar Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Allen's big day helps No. 20 Wisconsin rip Northwestern 35-7

By Steve Megargee Nov. 13, 2021 03:20 PM EST

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen breasks into the end zone for a topuchdwon run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank (2) returns a kick against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin wins fifth straight, beats Rutgers, bowl eligible

By Tom Canavan Nov. 06, 2021 06:54 PM EDT

Wisconsin safety John Torchio (15) is shown warming up before NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin at Rutgers 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and head coach Paul Chryst talk during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin upset Iowa 27-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Defense carries Wisconsin to 27-7 triumph over No. 9 Iowa

By Steve Megargee Oct. 30, 2021 03:32 PM EDT