As the Badgers get ready to kick off the 2020 season Friday against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Colten Bartholomew examines Wisconsin's roster by position for the Wisconsin State Journal.
In a showdown for control of the Big Ten West Division, No. 10 Wisconsin (2-0) and No. 19 Northwestern (4-0) will feature the top two defenses in the conference and among the two best nationally.
Tone matters, especially to Jim Harbaugh, who sounded shell-shocked late Saturday night after his Wolverines lost, 49-11, to Wisconsin, but sounded ready to take on the world by noon Monday.
Big Ten football teams are sorting themselves out, making a clearer picture of who is pushing for a spot in the championship game. And four games in, we can safely say Northwestern and Indiana are legit.
Active COVID-19 cases continue to rise within certain programs, potentially playing a significant role in determining the Big Ten Conference championship.
No. 18 UW lost 14-6 to No. 10 Indiana at Camp Randall, dropping the Badgers to 2-2 on the year and likely ending any chance they had at a New Year’s Six bowl game.
The priority is the exposure and financial benefit of having a team in the College Football Playoff. Getting the Buckeyes more games and a conference championship shot are the surest ways to do it.
"We have a one-game championship season against Wisconsin, a major rival," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said. "It's so exciting to end the year, a very difficult year."
