Badgers back in the Top 25 as they prepare to face an Iowa team that has dominated them lately

Madison, Wisconsin — The University of Wisconsin Badgers have reclaimed a spot in the AP Top 25 rankings, their first since 2023. This success comes after an impressive 24-7 victory over then-No. 16 Southern California. Currently, Wisconsin sits at 25th in the rankings with a record of 5-2, 3-1 in the Big Ten. The team's impressive run may provide them with a chance to match their combined win total from the previous two seasons.

However, the team faces a significant challenge this week as they travel to face Iowa, a team that has dominated them in recent years. The Badgers' coach Luke Fickell highlighted the difficulty of this rivalry game, stating, "There's a lot of things that haven't gone well for us in this rivalry game. We need to do a whole lot to change it.

It's not going to be easy. I don't know if there's a tougher place to play in the country." In their last visit to Iowa, the Badgers allowed 329 yards rushing in a 42-10 loss. In response, the team started doing 42 pushups at the end of each practice the following spring. However, Iowa went even further, defeating Wisconsin 37-0 last year and securing their highest point total in Madison since 1929.

This year, Wisconsin has taken a different approach, focusing on building their own culture and chemistry rather than dwelling on their rivalries. The team added 34 transfers who didn't play against Iowa in the previous two years. Fickell understands the importance of this game, acknowledging that "rivalries are what makes college football."

The Badgers' performance this week will serve as a measuring stick for their progress. In their last four seasons, Wisconsin went from a 5-7 finish in 2024 to a 5-2, 3-1 record this season. The team's offense has room for improvement, with Colton Joseph passing for only 58 yards against USC. However, their defense and special teams have been strong, allowing only 4.14 yards per play, the second-lowest average in the FBS.

This success comes despite facing the top-ranked teams in the Big Ten, including a victory over Penn State last month, which has been overshadowed by the Badgers' recent performance against USC. The Badgers have shut down the run, with only seven points allowed in that game, the second-lowest output for any of Lincoln Riley's teams in his 10-year tenure.

Wisconsin is now one win away from becoming bowl eligible and faces four more games on their favorable November schedule, with their final game hosting Minnesota, a team they have beaten four of the last five years.