Jack Sanborn
FILE - Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh is tackled by Michigan defensive end Mike Morris during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. In his fourth season, the 6-foot-6, 278-pound Morris will have a lot of chances to make plays from a position that produced NFL prospects Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo last year. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
14 Big Ten players poised to break out in 2022

By Eric Olson Apr. 25, 2022 05:50 PM EDT

FILE - Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Wisconsin has produced defenses that have ranked among the nation’s stingiest virtually every year since Jim Leonhard took over as coordinator in 2017. Leonhard faces perhaps his biggest challenge in maintaining that standard this year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin defense faces major challenge in bid to stay elite

By Steve Megargee Apr. 22, 2022 11:27 AM 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

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) rushes Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson should be strongly considered for the Heisman Trophy after he had three sacks, setting a single-season record for college football team, in a win over Ohio State that put the Wolverines in the Big Ten championship game and national title race. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan's Hutchinson, Spartans' Tucker earn Big Ten honors

Nov. 30, 2021 01:44 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

Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder (18) celebrates after intercepting a Nebraska pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Grit helped No. 18 Wisconsin bounce back from slow start

By Steve Megargee Nov. 24, 2021 05:37 PM 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

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with linesman Bruce Keeling during the second half against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
After overhauling staff, Nebraska faces No. 19 Wisconsin

By Steve Megargee Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM 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

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)
Long memories motivate No. 20 Badgers against Northwestern

By Steve Megargee Nov. 11, 2021 12:42 PM EST

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

Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27) pushes Wisconsin wide receiver Jack Dunn (16) out of bounds after a reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Iowa at Wisconsin 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:57 PM EDT

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) breaks way from Purdue safety Chris Jefferson (17) on his way to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Wisconsin defeated Purdue 30-13. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 9 Iowa seeks to bounce back as it visits Wisconsin

By Steve Megargee Oct. 28, 2021 12:10 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Leo Chenal hits Army's Tyhier Tyler as he pitches the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Aggressive approach paying off for Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal

By Steve Megargee Oct. 20, 2021 03:34 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Leo Chenal hits Army's Tyhier Tyler for a loss during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Chenal's big game helps Wisconsin outlast Army 20-14

By Steve Megargee Oct. 16, 2021 11:26 PM EDT

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi scores during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Wisconsin won 24-0. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Army's triple option to test Wisconsin's vaunted run defense

By Steve Megargee Oct. 14, 2021 03:31 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stingy Wisconsin defense readies for Coan, Fighting Irish

By Steve Megargee Sep. 20, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State coach Ryan Day yells during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio, in this Monday, April 5, 2021, file photo. There will be no easing into the season for most Big Ten teams. Ohio State coach Ryan Day was non-committal when asked if he liked playing a conference opener. “I’ll tell you after Thursday night’s game,” he said. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Big Ten wastes no time getting down to business with openers

By Eric Olson Aug. 31, 2021 03:22 PM EDT