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Wisconsin Football: Big Ten Power Rankings

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

6. Northwestern Wildcats

Pat Fitzgerald has very quietly won 10 games in two of the last three seasons at Northwestern. Last year, the Wildcats upset Michigan State in an overtime thriller in the middle of an eight-game winning streak. Northwestern only dropped three games, to Duke, Wisconsin and Penn State, and looked like it was moving up a tier in the Big Ten.

A lot of Northwestern’s success in 2018 rides on the health of Clayton Thorson who tore his ACL in Northwestern’s bowl game. The latest update on the injury was offered by Fitzgerald to the Chicago Tribune on June 20. About two weeks from that date is when a decision would be made on whether Thorson would be on track to start the season-opener, according to Fitzgerald.

The Wildcats have to replace a steady contributor in their backfield. Justin Jackson racked up over 5,400 yards in his career, including four years of 1,000 or more yards. That kind of consistency is difficult to replicate. The two leading receivers from last year, Flynn Nagel and Ben Skowronek,  return and should help the quarterback situation, whichever way it goes.

Northwestern played Wisconsin pretty tight last year and is a well-coached unit. The Wildcats pose the biggest threat to the Badgers in the Big Ten West division. The throne of the West is Wisconsin’s to lose, but the top challenger is a spot that’s up for grabs. If Northwestern is going to turn into a contender in the Big Ten, then a competitive season in 2018 is a must.