As spring turns into summer and we inch closer to college football season, a preseason idea of where teams stand begins to take shape.
For Wisconsin, there are legitimate questions on both sides of the football. The Badgers were one of college football’s elite defenses, but lost key starters, such as linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, to the NFL draft.
Offensively, the Badgers failed to find their rhythm last season. Can Graham Mertz put it all together in year three as a starter? Will an unproven receiver room be ready to lead the charge? The running back room is the one sure thing in terms of skill positions as the Badgers return Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi to lead the way.
Where does USA TODAY’s post-spring college football top 25 have the Badgers? Here is a look at the complete rankings:
No. 25: Tennessee Volunteers
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; The 102,455 sign which is the seating capacity in Neyland Stadium and the Power T logo on the south entrance at Neyland Stadium at a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
Not Ranked
Last Season’s Record
7-6 (4-4)
No. 24: UCLA Bruins
Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) runs for 17 yards and a first down against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.22 (-2)
Last Season’s Record
8-4 (6-3)
No. 23—Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) throws during an NCAA college football game in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
220101 Iowa Kentucky Citrus
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#24 (+1)
Last Season’s Record
10-3 (5-3)
No. 22: Pittsburgh Panthers
during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Pittsburgh Panthers in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
Not Ranked
Last Season’s Record
11-3 (7-1)
No. 21: Arkansas Razorbacks
Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of an Arkansas Razorbacks football helmet as the Razorbacks celebrate the win over the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#19 (+2)
Last Season’s Record
9-4 (4-4)
No. 20: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State head football coach James Franklin looks up at the big screen after a play in the third quarter against Iowa.
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No. 20 (No Change)
Last Season’s Record
7-6 (4-5)
No. 19: Houston Cougars
Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars running back Alton McCaskill (22) carries the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.16 (-3)
Last Season’s Record
12-2 (8-0)
No. 18—Michigan State Spartans
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrates after a victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.17 (-1)
Last Season’s Record
11-2 (7-2)
No. 17: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Nov 6, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Miles Fox (11) and Rondell Bothroyd (40) and linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr. (5) react after sacking North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) (not pictured) in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.15 (-2)
Last Season’s Record
11-3 (7-1)
No. 16—Oklahoma State Cowboys
during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.12 (-4)
Last Season’s Record
12-2 (8-1)
No. 15—Wisconsin Badgers
Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) warms up before facing the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.11 (-4)
Last Season’s Record
9-4 (6-3)
No. 14: Oregon Ducks
Nov 6, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks players fans pose for a photo as they celebrate following a 26-16 victory against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#18 (+4)
Last Season’s Record
10-4 (7-2)
No. 13: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter the field prior to the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.9 (-4)
Last Season’s Record
11-2
No. 12: Baylor Bears
Nov 6, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) throws during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#14 (+2)
Last Season’s Record
12-2 (7-2)
No. 11—Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct 30, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) strips the ball away from Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.10 (-1)
Last Season’s Record
10-4 (7-2)
No. 10—NC State Wolfpack
Nov 13, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; A North Carolina State Wolfpack helmet seen on the sideline during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
Not Ranked
Last Season’s Record
9-3 (6-2)
No. 9: BYU Cougars
Sep 15, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; A BYU Cougars helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#13 (+4)
Last Season’s Record
10-3
No. 8—Texas A&M Aggies
Nov 20, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Amari Daniels (4) runs the ball for a touchdown fourth quarter against the Prairie View Am Panthers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.5 (-3)
Last Season’s Record
8-4 (4-4)
No. 7: Michigan Wolverines
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw against the Georgia Bulldogs in the third quarter during the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#8 (+1)
Last Season’s Record
12-2 (8-1)
No. 6: Utah Utes
Nov 5, 2021; Stanford, Calif., USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) signals to his teammates during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#7 (+1)
Last Season’s Record
10-4 (8-1)
No. 5: Clemson Tigers
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) and teammates celebrate their win after the game at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 27, 2021. Clemson won 30-0.
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No.4 (-1)
Last Season’s Record
10-3 (6-2)
No. 4: Oklahoma Sooners
First-year OU football coach Brent Venables works with his team during Thursday’s practice in Norman.
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#5 (+1)
Last Season’s Record
11-2 (7-2)
No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: CJ Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks off the field during a 48-45 win over the Utah Utes at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#2 (-1)
Last Season’s Record
11-2 (8-1)
No. 2: Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) celebrates with the trophy after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Syndication The Indianapolis Star
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
#3 (+1)
Last Season’s Record
14-1 (8-0)
No. 1: Alabama Crimson Tide
Nov 6, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Early Postseason USA TODAY Top 25 Ranking
No. 1 (No Change)
Last Season’s Record
13-2 (7-1)
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