Wisconsin’s Linebacker Upstarts Ready to Roar Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa exploded onto the Badgers’ radar late last season, showcasing their prowess in run-stopping, sacks, forced fumbles, and pass coverage. Neither had been full-time starters before, but when they claimed the field, Wisconsin’s defense took a leap forward under Mike Tressel’s guidance. Despite lofty comparisons…

Tressel’s Two-Point Plan for Defensive Dominance Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator Mike Tressel is aiming for elite status in 2026, pinpointing two critical areas for improvement after a 4-8 season. While the Badgers’ front seven and pass rush ranked among the nation’s best, their secondary and takeaway numbers lagged. Tressel wants at least two turnovers per game…

Inside Colton Joseph’s Bulletproofing Routine Wisconsin’s football program has been ravaged by quarterback injuries under Luke Fickell, with a string of broken hands, torn ACLs and knee tweaks plaguing starters. This offseason, Fickell and his staff overhauled their strength and conditioning approach to protect their most exciting–and most mobile–gunslinger yet: transfer quarterback Colton Joseph. Aware…

Coaches’ Crystal Ball: Badgers Face Four Ranked Foes The latest preseason coaches poll pegs Notre Dame (5), USC (14), Penn State (17) and Iowa (22) as the four Badger opponents likely to haunt Wisconsin’s dreams in 2026. Despite a schedule touted as the easiest in the Big Ten, these top-25 matchups remind fans that the…

Defense Audit: Big Questions for Each Badger Starter As fall camp nears, Wisconsin’s defensive depth chart is under the microscope. From veteran tackle Russell Hammond IV’s leadership translating into production, to Charles Perkins’ weight goals, every starter faces a pointed query. Edge rushers Sebastian Cheeks and Tyreese Fearbry must take leaps in consistency and unlock…

FSU Castoff Cai Bates Eyes Madison Spotlight Cai Bates, a former four-star cornerback from Florida State, arrives in Madison after two underwhelming seasons with only 26 career snaps. At 6-foot-2 and boasting length and strength, Bates now competes behind Arizona State transfer Javan Robinson for the CB2 role. Despite stiff competition from Jai’mier Scott and…

Could the Badgers Become the Big Ten’s Sneakiest Contender? Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports dubbed Wisconsin the Big Ten’s “Dark Horse” at Media Days, pointing to a revitalized defense and an improved running game. Coach Luke Fickell’s optimism contrasts sharply with national snubs, yet Fornelli argues injuries derailed past seasons and now the Badgers boast…

Lambeau Clash: Fickell Preps Badgers for Notre Dame Wisconsin opens its 2026 season at Lambeau Field against a top-five Notre Dame squad led by QB CJ Carr and a lockdown defense. Coach Luke Fickell, long an advocate of peaking in November, now insists his team must bring playoff-level intensity to Week 1. The matchup offers…