Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin's Graham Mertz tries to run past Illinois's Tarique Barnes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Nightmare scenario: What happens when outbreak hits QB room?

By Steve Megargee 11 hrs ago

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin coach stays mum on QB Mertz with Huskers up next

By Steve Megargee Oct. 26, 2020 12:52 PM EDT

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertze throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
STAT WATCH: Accuracy of Mertz, Fields in openers tops FBS

By Eric Olson Oct. 26, 2020 02:48 AM EDT

Coastal Carolina players celebrate after place kicker Massimo Biscardi (29) kicked the go-ahead and eventual game-winning field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in Lafayette, La., Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Kieu)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Who's best or rewarding success?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 26, 2020 02:43 AM EDT

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertze throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin issues statement amid reports Mertz tests positive

Oct. 25, 2020 10:42 PM EDT

Wisconsin wide receiver Danny Davis III celebrates his touchdown catch with Jake Ferguson (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener

By Steve Megargee Oct. 23, 2020 11:31 PM EDT

The seats at Camp Randall Stadium are empty as players warm up before an NCAA college football game between Wisconsin and Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Illinois at Wisconsin 10/23/2020

Oct. 23, 2020 07:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, file photo, Indiana head coach Tom Allen is seen on the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, in Bloomington, Ind. The Big Ten will start playing football at what normally would be midseason. The coronavirus pandemic limited or eliminated most spring practices. Positive COVID-19 tests and precautions, along with uncertainty about whether there would even be a season, caused disruptions in summer workouts and preseason practices. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Big Ten, like other leagues, might see sloppy play to start

By Eric Olson Oct. 22, 2020 12:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe, second from right, celebrates with teammates including Donny Navarro (86) after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, in Champaign, Ill. Even after beating a Wisconsin team that was favored by 30 ½ points last year, Illinois heads into Madison as a 19 ½-point underdog as the two West Division rivals prepare to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten season Friday night. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File)
Illinois seeking to surprise No. 14 Wisconsin one more time

By Steve Megargee Oct. 22, 2020 12:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson (14) carries during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin’s rushing attack will look quite a bit different this season without Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. Wisconsin begins adjusting to life without Taylor on Friday night, Oct. 23, 2020, when the 14th-ranked Badgers host Illinois in their pandemic-delayed season opener.(AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
No. 14 Wisconsin's rushing attack adapts to post-Taylor era

By Steve Megargee Oct. 22, 2020 12:17 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. The ACC, Big 12 and SEC have been playing anywhere from three to five weeks amid the pandemic, and all the players and coaches around the Big Ten could do is watch. “Most of it's been torture, just not being able to play games,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
College Football Picks: Big Ten returns to Big Ten weather

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 21, 2020 01:50 PM EDT

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)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 9/30/2017

Oct. 19, 2020 05:11 PM EDT

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

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin's Graham Mertz throws 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)
Coan's injury provides opportunity for Wisconsin QB Mertz

By Steve Megargee Oct. 08, 2020 05:50 PM EDT

North Carolina defensive back Trey Morrison (4) celebrates after running the ball back on an interception of a two-point conversion attempt by Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: ACC milestone with 4 top-10 teams

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 05, 2020 02:39 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan passes against Oregon during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif. Coan is dealing with a foot injury as the Badgers prepare for the start of this pandemic-delayed season. Athletic department spokesman Brian Mason confirmed that Coan injured his foot in practice Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, and did not practice Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
QB Coan injures foot while practicing for No. 16 Wisconsin

Oct. 04, 2020 03:45 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, right, is tackled by Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr.,left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten back in poll, not on field

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 28, 2020 03:09 AM EDT

Wisconsin safety Reggie Pearson (2) waits for action during an NCAA football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin has welcomed back offensive lineman Jon Dietzen and lost Pearson as it resumes practice to prepare for the pandemic-delayed season. The Badgers released a roster Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 that didn’t include Pearson but added Dietzen, who had announced in February 2019 that he was stepping away from football due to injuries.(AP Photo/Mark Lomoglio, file)
Dietzen returns to Badgers; Pearson out for medical reasons

Sep. 23, 2020 03:06 PM EDT