Get ready for Badgers football season with State Journal's complete 2019 preview

Junior tailback Jonathan Taylor kicked off his Heisman Trophy campaign with 183 total yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters of work as No. 19 Wisconsin opened the 2019 season by rolling to a 49-0 victory over South Florida on Friday night in Tampa, Florida.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 49-0 season-opening win over the South Florida Bulls on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 

A quick look at the Wisconsin Badgers' season opener against the South Florida Bulls on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 

The most important development in Wisconsin's 49-0 season-opening win over South Florida was that the Badgers did things on both sides of the ball that proved they've addressed the many issues that plagued them last season.

Sacks, penalties and missed passes marred 49-0 win against South Florida.

Right tackle Logan Bruss (left leg), safety Scott Nelson (left leg) and outside linebacker Izayah Green-May (right arm) are listed as out on UW's preliminary injury report.

UW is one of seven Big Ten teams in the poll: No. 5 Ohio State, No. 7 Michigan, No. 15 Penn State, No. 19 Michigan State, No. 20 Iowa and No. 25 Nebraska.

David Moorman, a fifth-year senior who played tight end and right tackle in UW's win at South Florida, might get his first career start Saturday vs. Central Michigan.

Jim McElwain — who previously coached at Michigan, Florida, Alabama and Michigan State — takes over a Chippewas team that went 1-11 last season.

UW already had declared three starters — right tackle Logan Bruss, outside linebacker Izayah Green-May, and safety Scott Nelson (left leg) — out for the game vs. Central Michigan.

“The thing I like about (Ferguson) is he is competitive and he does want to be the best tight end he can be,” UW coach Paul Chryst said.

Matt Henningsen, a sophomore defensive end from Menomonee Falls, has excelled on the field and in the classroom at UW.

The junior's  performance against South Florida was promising and showed considerable growth from the end of last season, when he started four games for an injured Alex Hornibrook.

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the Wisconsin Badgers host the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium. 

It’s almost impossible to overshadow Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor and a UW defense that has yet to allow a point this season. But junior quarterback Jack Coan — with big help from Quintez Cephus — managed to do it during the most lopsided victory of the Paul Chryst era.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 61-0 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium. 

A quick look at the Wisconsin Badgers' 61-0 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas in their home opener Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. 

The No. 17 Badgers were downright giddy after witnessing Quintez Cephus’ triumphant return to Camp Randall Stadium, a six-catch, 130-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 61-0 victory over Central Michigan Saturday afternoon.

It looked for all the world like Paul Chryst was sending a message to seventh-ranked Michigan — UW's next opponent — during the 17th-ranked Badgers' 61-0 demolition of Central Michigan on Saturday. That message? This isn't the UW team you remember from last season.

A player can take part in up to four games and still redshirt, and Mertz said after the game that “I am redshirting. It’s more just getting my opportunity in those four games.”

They've shut out their first two opponents en route to the Sept. 21 Big Ten Conference opener at home against Michigan.

Zander Neuville tweeted Wednesday afternoon he had “sustained another injury” and it would mean the end of his football career.

The Badgers will play New Mexico State in 2022 and Western Michigan in 2024, according to a report.

No. 13 UW plays No. 11 Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

No. 1 Clemson, No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia, No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 6 Ohio State have been dominant and look like the class of the country.

The University of Wisconsin's football game against Northwestern on Sept. 28 at Camp Randall Stadium will start at 11 a.m., it was announced o…

UW completed just seven passes in last season's loss to the Wolverines.

With Bryson Williams out with a left leg injury, Keeanu Benton — a freshman from Janesville Craig — will get the start at nose tackle vs. Michigan.

Gattis comes to the Wolverines from Alabama, which averaged 45.6 points a game last season.

With No. 13 Wisconsin opening Big Ten play Saturday against No. 11 Michigan, State Journal reporters Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew sat down for a Facebook Live chat. 

The former Madison Edgewood standout said he’s feeling more at ease returning punts this season, and with the calmness comes better production.

Having Quintez Cephus back in the lineup gives the Badgers a true No. 1 receiver, something they lacked in 2018, and obviously is a boost to the offense.

Cristian Driver is a four-star safety out of Texas with a slew of scholarship offers.

Fullbacks and extra offensive linemen have taken on different roles for UW as injuries plague tight ends.

Eric Burrell has embraced an expanded role at safety in the wake of Scott Nelson's season-ending knee injury.

To hear more Badgers football podcasts, subscribe to The Red Zone on iTunes or Google Play. Follow Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) and Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) on Twitter.

The senior linebacker from Brown Deer, who almost gave up football in high school, has become a talented pass-rusher and team leader for UW. 

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the 13th-ranked Badgers host the 11th-ranked Wolverines on Saturday at Camp Randall.

A big game Saturday against a fast and athletic Michigan defense would boost Jonathan Taylor's Heisman Trophy stock considerably.

The Badgers (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and extended that cushion to 35-0 in the third quarter before closing out the Wolverines 35-14 in their Big Ten Conference opener Saturday at Camp Randall.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 35-14 win over the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines in their Big Ten opener Saturday at Camp Randall. 

A quick look at the 13th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 35-14 win over the 11th-ranked Michigan Wolverines in their Big Ten Conference opener Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. 

Garrett Groshek and Nakia Watson powered Wisconsin’s offense while the Heisman Trophy candidate was sidelined with cramps, showing depth and versatility UW lacked last season.

Sure, there's a long, difficult Big Ten schedule ahead, but the Badgers showed Saturday how good they have become in the wake of a disappointing 8-5 season.

The ejections of safeties Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson put a damper on what was otherwise another impressive performance for UW's defense in a 35-14 victory over the Wolverines.

Riley Mahlman is a four-star recruit at tackle, and is the No. 1 ranked player in Minnesota, according to 247sports.com.

No. 8 UW plays Northwestern at 11 a.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. 

Signature victories change perceptions, and that was certainly the case after the Badgers rolled to a 35-14 victory over Michigan Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium. 

For the first time this season, the AP college football poll was given a good shake, as a season-high seven ranked teams lost, including Michigan at Wisconsin.

UW's depth at safety tested with two players suspended for a half and Madison Cone questionable. 

Here are four takeaways as Northwestern prepares for a brutal assignment at Wisconsin after getting whipped 31-10 by Michigan State on Saturday.

The loss to Wisconsin will only fuel critics who believe Harbaugh can't win the big one: Michigan is 1-6 on the road against Top 25 teams under him and has lost three straight bowl games.

UW will play the Golden Flashes at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. 

Safeties Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson will be forced to sit out the first half of this week's game against Northwestern after receiving penalties for the infraction against Michigan.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor has had little success against the Wildcats.

After coming in for the injured James Blackman in the third quarter, Alex Hornibrook completed 15 of 20 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in his Florida State debut on Saturday as the Seminoles beat the Cardinals 35-24.

Junior Collin Wilder will start for the first time on Saturday due to Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson sitting out the first half after being ejected for targeting against Michigan.

Reporters Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew discuss how UW’s defense adjusts without two starting safeties for a half, Northwestern's struggles, and how the Badgers' offensive line has fared through three games. 

The Badgers and Northwestern will wear similar new designs from Under Armour for Saturday's game at Camp Randall Stadium.

The redshirt freshman ran for 141 yards against UNLV and 91 yards against Michigan State.

Safety Madison Cone (left leg) is still questionable for the Badgers. 

Garrett Groshek, Nakia Watson, Bradrick Shaw, John Chenal and Mason Stokke aim to show there's more to the backfield than just Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor.

The junior tackle has been a key member of a line that hasn’t skipped a beat after losing four starters to graduation.

Northwestern holds a 7-6 edge over the Badgers since 2000, with some of UW's most painful losses coming at the hands of the Wildcats.

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers open Big Ten West play Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall. 

The Wildcats were within 7-3 late in the third quarter until the Badgers (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) — specifically the defense, which scored two touchdowns — finally created some breathing room.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers' play in their 24-15 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in their Big Ten West opener Saturday at Camp Randall. 

A quick look at the 8th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 25-14 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in their Big Ten West opener Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

Burrell had a pass break-up and a big hand in the first of UW’s two defensive touchdowns on Saturday in the win over Northwestern, and Pearson momentarily knocked Wildcats QB Hunter Johnson out of the game with a big hit early in the fourth quarter.

After opening the 2019 season with three games in which the offense averaged 48.3 points per game and — gasp! — threw the ball as well or better than it ran it, eighth-ranked Wisconsin went back to its traditional look in a 24-15 victory over Northwestern Saturday at Camp Randall.

There were a handful of costly miscues on special teams Saturday for the No. 8 Badgers, who overcame them on the strength of a stellar defensive performance to down the Wildcats 24-15 at Camp Randall.

The Badgers (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten Conference) have a chance to get their offense back on track when they host Kent State at 11 a.m. Saturday in their final non-conference game of the year.

Coordinator Jim Leonhard did masterful job keeping Northwestern guessing where pressure was coming from.

Alex Hornibrook, a graduate transfer from Wisconsin, made his first start at Florida State and threw for a career-high 316 yards, tossing three touchdown passes in the Seminoles' 31-13 win.

For the first time this season, some AP voters decided a team other than Alabama or Clemson deserved their first-place votes.

After a Saturday of blowouts and brutal injuries (sorry, Purdue), here are five things we learned.

Linebacker Leo Chenal, nose tackle Bryson Williams questionable for Saturday's game against Kent State.

Jack Coan passed for just 113 yards and threw his first interception of the season in UW's 24-15 win over Northwestern on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

The No. 25 Spartans (4-1, 2-0) haven’t played at Camp Randall since 2012.

Lewis, 33, who played quarterback and tight end at UW from 2004 to '07, is the youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Late safety movement and strong linebacker play was Northwestern's best shot at slowing Jonathan Taylor.

Beat reporters Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew discuss No. 8 UW's offense and preview the matchup against Kent State. 

The trio has been effective for UW's retooled offensive line this season.

Mindfulness training helps players remain relaxed and focused.

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers host the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday at Camp Randall. 

Issues on special teams could hurt the Badgers when Big Ten play resumes.

Jonathan Taylor had a career-high five touchdowns, with four of them coming before halftime, as the 8th-ranked University of Wisconsin football team shut out the Kent State Golden Flashes, 48-0, on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. 

Wisconsin State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers' play in their 48-0 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday at Camp Randall.

A quick look at the 8th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 48-0 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

When Badgers coach Paul Chryst put freshman quarterback Graham Mertz in with six minutes remaining in the third quarter of UW's blowout of Kent State, the heralded recruit proved to be ready for the chance.

Even with one less lineman on the field, UW’s front six answered the call and shut down Kent State’s run game in a 48-0 romp that marked the Badgers’ final non-conference game of the regular season.

“It’s just unbelievable. I think it’s just pretty cool how I get to play with him,” junior quarterback Jack Coan said after UW's 48-0 win over Kent State. “I’m probably going to tell my kids one day how I got to play with ‘J.T.’ It’s pretty special.”

Whether it's sacks, tackles for loss, takeaways, meager yardage totals or shutouts, Wisconsin's defense has had a five-game run for the ages under coordinator Jim Leonhard.

The University of Wisconsin football team didn’t allow an upset-minded Kent State to threaten its unbeaten start to the year Saturday at Camp …

After six regular-season AP college football polls the top six teams are the same teams that were ranked in the top six in the preseason — the longest the same six teams have held the top six spots since the preseason poll started in 1950.

ILB Leo Chenal (head), S Madison Cone (left leg) and FB Mason Stokke (head) are on the injury report.

UW’s top quartet of receivers — Quintez Cephus, Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor and A.J. Taylor — have accounted for just 13 catches and 153 yards over the past two weeks.

Coach Willie Taggart says James Blackman will start for Florida State against Clemson, but that there is a game plan for using Alex Hornibrook, who guided the Seminoles to wins over Louisville and North Carolina State after Blackman suffered an injury.

A look into how UW's senior outside linebacker has become a pass-rush force for the No. 8 Badgers. 

The Spartans lost 34-10 to No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday as big plays blew open the game in the second quarter.

State Journal beat reporters Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew get you ready for No. 8 Wisconsin's Homecoming matchup with Michigan State. 

New construction would add premium seating options to lower bowl. 

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers host the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday at Camp Randall.

Despite the Spartans keeping Jonathan Taylor in check, No. 8 Wisconsin maintained control throughout and came away with a 38-0 victory at Camp Randall Stadium. That’s UW’s fourth shutout of the season, the most it’s had since 1930.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers' play in their 38-0 win over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday at Camp Randall.

A quick look at the 8th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 38-0 win over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

UW's four shutouts are the most in the modern era of the program. The Badgers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) haven’t had this many shutouts in a season since they recorded five shutouts in 1930.

Jonathan Taylor, a Heisman Trophy contender, scored two touchdowns from the 1-yard line in the Badgers' 38-0 win over the Spartans. Both of those punch-ins were set up by clutch catches tight end Jake Ferguson made to extend drives for UW's offense.

UW is one of six Big Ten teams ranked, including one of three in the top 10. 

How do you weigh resumes when the sample size of big games is still small?

UW last defeated the Buckeyes in 2010. 

A combination of smart play-calling, accurate throws and strong receiver play sunk MSU's attempts to stop the Badgers' receivers.

State Journal beat reporters Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin dive into a number of topics surrounding the University of Wisconsin football team. 

Jonathan Taylor hinted during during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show that this season may be his last with the University of Wisconsin football team. 

The sophomore nose tackle has returned to limited action after spraining his left knee in practice before UW's second game.

Get the latest analysis, injury reports and highlights as the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers look to improve to 7-0 on Saturday when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium.

UW's on-off switch has been stuck in the on position, an approach that will come in handy Saturday when the Badgers face a struggling Illinois team.

The loss snapped UW’s streak of nine straight wins against the Illini, and derailed the Badgers’ hopes for a showdown of undefeated teams between UW and No. 4 Ohio State next Saturday in Columbus.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 24-23 loss to the unranked Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday. 

A quick look at the sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 24-23 loss to the unranked Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

UW takes on No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday. 

Lovie Smith ruined the Big Ten's Game of the Year/Decade/Century this upcoming Saturday in Columbus. And he may have saved his job when his Fighting Illini upset the Badgers.

AP Top 25 voters are being tougher on Clemson than any preseason No. 1 team in 48 years.

Senior Jason Erdmann, who started the first five games of the season at guard and played a great deal of snaps at the position against Michigan State, didn’t play in the 24-23 loss at Illinois.

Missed blocks and strong tackling by Illinois doomed the Badgers when the end zone was near.

The former Buckeyes coach gives the Badgers a shot, "if they can play Wisconsin football — run the ball and play-action you. If Ohio State can stop that run and force them to throw, they win."

What went wrong at Illinois? Does Wisconsin have a chance at Ohio State? State Journal beat reporters Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin break it down.

With the 13th-ranked University of Wisconsin football team preparing to face off against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, Wisconsin State Journal reporters Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew sat down Thursday afternoon for a Facebook Live video chat from the Madison.com studio.

Reggie Pearson, a redshirt freshman, will play a key role in No. 13 UW's attempt to stop No. 3 Ohio State's running game on Saturday.

In the Buckeyes' 38-7 rout of the Badgers on Saturday, J.K. Dobbins rushed for 163 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, while Taylor had just 52 yards on 20 carries with no scores.

Since the weighting system in the poll changed in 1978 so the difference between a first-place vote and a second-place was only one point instead of two, the margin between 1 and 3 has never been smaller.

Players were in agreement that the 38-7 loss they suffered at Ohio State on Saturday was in the past and they had to turn toward the future.

Blocking mistakes, questionable concepts, and a freak-of-nature talent combined to sink UW and let the Buckeyes' star control the game. 

State Journal beat reporters Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin recap the Badgers’ loss at Ohio State, and then preview the UW men's basketball season.

Several UW players are projected to be taken in the 2020 NFL draft. 

Paul Chryst's play-calling and Joe Rudolph's offensive line are just fine. 

Both UW and Iowa enter Saturday's game ranked in the top 20. 

Where the AP voters and the College Football Playoff selection committee diverge most is assessing teams outside the Power Five conferences.

Coach Paul Chryst says the program is "all-in" on rules to help student-athletes. 

Blocking A.J. Epenesa, being stout against the I-formation run, and containing quarterback Nate Stanley are all key for No. 16 UW. 

UW is ranked higher in CFP poll than AP. 

The 13-member committee will produce four more weekly top 25s before the only ones that really count come out on selection Sunday, Dec. 8.

After back-to-back losses, Cole Van Lanen and Co. are eager to win the battles up front vs. Iowa on Saturday.

The Gophers and newly extended head coach P.J. Fleck can feel free to play the "nobody respects us" card based on its outcome.

Since Nate Stanley took over as the starting quarterback in 2017, the Badgers have beaten the Hawkeyes 38-14 and 28-17.

State Journal beat reporters Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin dissect the University of Wisconsin football team’s Saturday matchup with Iowa.

“I just feel like we’ve got to get back to how we were before, everybody swarming to the ball,” sophomore cornerback Rachad Wildgoose says.

It would take some work and a few bucks from the NCAA's billions to rectify this situation and put the former Badgers star in his rightful place.

If Penn State can hand the Gophers their first loss, the winner of Saturday's game between Wisconsin and Iowa will control their own fate because they each still have Minnesota left to play.

No. 3 Ohio State announced Friday it will not play star defensive end Chase Young against Maryland this weekend amid concerns he violated NCAA rules by taking a loan last year from someone he describes as a "family friend."

With its running game slowed and its passing game unable to consistently compensate, UW has dropped its last two games after a 6-0 start.

No. 16 UW needed to stop a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter to do it, but the Badgers held off the No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes 24-22 in front of a loud crowd to stay alive in the Big Ten West Division race.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the 16th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 24-22 win over the 18th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in a Big Ten West showdown Saturday at Camp Randall.

UW linebacker Chris Orr delivered the first hit on Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley as he tried to score on a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter Saturday. Safety Eric Burrell followed up with another wallop almost immediately, and the two kept Stanley from crossing the plane, and kept UW ahead in what became a 24-22 win.

UW has won the past six games against the Cornhuskers. 

UW is one of seven Big Ten teams ranked in the poll. 

The secondary did just enough to help UW hold on for a 24-22 victory over Iowa on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Over the next four weeks there will be much debate about whether Alabama is one of the four best teams in college football.

The Badgers’ defensive line proved to be capable of absorbing Williams’ injury earlier in the year, and will need to do so again with three pivotal Big Ten Conference West Division games on the slate to close the regular season.

The University of Wisconsin football team’s offensive line was frustrated with how it’d played in October.

The right tackle "has been playing at a really high level," offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph says.

UW falls despite beating CFP No. 20 Iowa at home last week.

The top three are LSU, Ohio State and Clemson.

The sometimes-explosive sophomore has struggled with consistency.

Illinois and Ohio State gashed the unit in losses.

Colten Bartholomew and Jim Polzin discuss UW football's road test at Nebraska and the Badgers men's basketball team's recruiting haul.

UW has won seven of the eight games since Nebraska made its Big Ten Conference debut at Camp Randall Stadium in 2011, including the past six.

Stokke, a redshirt junior from Menomonie, is coming off one of the best games of his UW career.

UW is one of six ranked Big Ten teams. 

For the most part, the best teams in their conferences have been mowing down the rest. 

UW's win combined with Minnesota's loss narrowed the gap between the two teams to one game.

The battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe will be televised by ABC. 

At this point, the University of Wisconsin football team’s struggles against spread offenses are pretty clear.

Junior wide receiver Danny Davis came through with big plays in UW's wins over Iowa and Nebraska.

UW is one of six ranked Big Ten teams. 

The selection committee’s third weekly rankings had little movement in the top 10, with Alabama fifth followed by Oregon, Utah, Penn State, Oklahoma and Minnesota.

UW will take on the Boilermakers without its starting left tackle.

State Journal reporter Colten Bartholomew and columnist Tom Oates discuss the No. 14 Badgers' matchup with Purdue. 

UW plays at No. 9 Minnesota next week, with the winner heading to the Big Ten Championship Game. 

Intense and tradition-rich rivalries are fun no matter the stakes. They get even juicer when both teams are ranked.

A look at how the Badgers used the wildcat formation to add variety to the offense against Purdue.

The Gophers will face Wisconsin at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday not only in an effort to keep Paul Bunyan's Axe but to win the Big Ten West title and advance to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time.

How can the Badgers' defense can handle Minnesota’s pair of top-flight receivers? Can Jonathan Taylor continue his historic pace in November? Which team will go to the Big Ten Championship Game? State Journal beat reporter Colten Bartholomew breaks it down. 

UW plays at No. 8 Minnesota on Saturday. 

In each of the first five years of the playoff, three of the top four teams in the rankings heading into rivalry weekend reached the semifinals, including the No. 1 team every time.

“He’s been a great leader for us,” junior center Tyler Biadasz says of Badgers quarterback Jack Coan.

The Badgers beat the Gophers 11-7 on Nov. 21, 1959, in Minneapolis to win a spot in the Rose Bowl vs. Washington.

Beating Minnesota on Saturday will require UW to find a way to slow Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman, who each have more than 1,000 receiving yards this season.

UW's big win over Minnesota moved it up in the AP Top 25 poll. 

Saturday's opponent, Ohio State, won this year's regular-season meeting 38-7.

UW's pair of junior defensive linemen nixed the Gophers' running game by dominating up front.

UW's senior linebackers recognized by Big Ten coaches, media.

UW is the second-highest ranked Big Ten team in the penultimate CFP poll.

The final rankings to set the pairings for the national semifinals come out Sunday after each FBS conference plays a championship game. 

Ohio State has a looser, more player-first feel under Day, who was former coach Urban Meyer's offensive coordinator in 2017 and '18.