Overview

• The Badgers are 2-2 after consecutive blowouts, most recently a 27-10 home loss to Maryland that marked their first defeat to the Terrapins.
• Wisconsin’s offense ranks near the bottom nationally (113th in yards per game, 108th in opponents’ passing efficiency, tied 108th in turnover margin) while the defense has been a relative strength (32nd in yards allowed, 15th on third down, third in rush defense).
• Injuries have piled up for key contributors including quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., center Jake Renfro and safety Preston Zachman, and backup QB Danny O’Neil left the Maryland game, leaving the post-bye starter to watch.
• Five of the next eight opponents are ranked, beginning Oct. 4 at Michigan before matchups with No. 1 Ohio State, at Oregon and vs. Washington, plus trips to Indiana and Minnesota and home dates with Iowa and Illinois.
• ESPN’s FPI now projects about 3.9 wins for the season, and after fans chanted for Luke Fickell to be fired the athletic director publicly backed the coach.