Wisconsin football enters AP Top 25 following victory over USC

The Wisconsin Badgers have returned to the AP Top 25, ranking 25th after a 24-7 upset victory over No. 16 USC. The win marks a significant milestone for coach Luke Fickell, whose team currently holds a 5-2 record and a 3-1 record in Big Ten play.

Despite the recent success and a top-20 ranked defense, the Badgers face a challenging upcoming matchup against Iowa. Wisconsin has struggled in this rivalry, losing to the Hawkeyes in each of the last four meetings by a combined score of 118-26. Coach Fickell noted the difficulty of playing in Iowa, emphasizing the importance of the Heartland Trophy.

While the defense has been a standout, analysts have pointed to inconsistencies in the offense, which ranks low in points scored per game and total first downs within the Big Ten.