Jack Sanborn
FILE - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio, in this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, file photo. Fields threw a Sugar Bowl-record six touchdown passes and accumulated 385 yards passing in the third-ranked Buckeyes’ 49-28 College Football Playoff semifinal victory over No. 2 Clemson. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Alabama's Smith, Ohio State's Fields lead all-bowl team

By Steve Megargee Jan. 07, 2021 01:35 PM EST

Wake Forest wide receiver Donavon Greene, right, is unable to catch a deep pass as Wisconsin cornerback Deron Harrell, left, defends during the second quarter of the Duke's Mayo Bowl NCAA college football game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Ball drop: Wisconsin wins Duke's Mayo Bowl, breaks trophy

By Steve Reed Dec. 30, 2020 04:00 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) passes while getting pressured by Iowa defensive end Joe Evans (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Gophers, Badgers cherish second chance to renew rivalry

By Steve Megargee Dec. 17, 2020 05:37 PM EST

Indiana defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3)and defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald (31) break up a pass intended for Wisconsin's Kendric Pryor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tuttle, D lift No. 10 Indiana past No. 18 Wisconsin 14-6

By Steve Megargee Dec. 05, 2020 07:12 PM EST

Northwestern tight end Charlie Mangieri, center, catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Wisconsin at Northwestern 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
This year's Big Ten title chase shows defense still matters

By Steve Megargee Nov. 19, 2020 12:22 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Wisconsin at Michigan 11/14/2020

Nov. 14, 2020 08:49 PM EST

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, watches as quarterback Cade McNamara (12) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
No. 13 Wisconsin to play at Michigan after canceling 2 games

By Larry Lage Nov. 13, 2020 07:34 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

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

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Miller Forristall (87) as Mississippi linebacker Daylen Gill (14) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Alabama won 63-48. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Can 2 vs. 3 be Game of the Century?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 12, 2020 02:38 AM EDT

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 wide receiver Aron Cruickshank runs for a touchdown against Oregon during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Herbert has 3 TD runs, Oregon beats Wisconsin in Rose Bowl

By Greg Beacham Jan. 01, 2020 08:54 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) is carted off the field after getting injured in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa injures hip, out for rest of season

By The Associated Press Nov. 16, 2019 05:23 PM EST

Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor (4) extends the ball over the goal line for a touchdown against Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Taylor over 200 again in No. 15 Badgers’ 37-21 win over Neb

By Eric Olson Nov. 16, 2019 04:41 PM EST

Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor (4) extends the ball over the goal line for a touchdown against Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Taylor over 200 again in No. 15 Badgers’ 37-21 win over Neb

By Eric Olson Nov. 16, 2019 03:10 PM EST

Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone (44) sacks Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Michigan won 10-3. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
STAT WATCH: Penn State, Wisconsin lead Big Ten sack attack

By Eric Olson Oct. 07, 2019 02:47 AM EDT

Wisconsin linebacker Noah Burks sacks Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Taylor scores 5 TDs to lead No. 8 Wisconsin past Kent State

By Keith Jenkins Oct. 05, 2019 03:35 PM EDT

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor celebrates a touchdown against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Taylor helps No. 13 Wisconsin trounce No. 11 Michigan 35-14

By Keith Jenkins Sep. 21, 2019 04:27 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor tries to leap over Central Michigan's Da'Quaun Jamison during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cephus rejoices after scoring twice in No. 17 Wisconsin rout

By Keith Jenkins Sep. 07, 2019 07:26 PM EDT