Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin football has a case to move up in Big Ten power rankings

By Tanner Nestle

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Kendric Pryor #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs up the field in the second half in front of defensive back Michael Ojemudia #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Kendric Pryor #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs up the field in the second half in front of defensive back Michael Ojemudia #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 08: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half on September 8, 2018 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Northwestern is in shambles. The opening win over Purdue looked like a promising starting point for the 2018 campaign for Pat Fitzgerald. What followed has been anything but promising.

Northwestern followed up its conference road win with back-to-back home losses to Duke and Akron. Thankfully for the Wildcats, they had a bye this weekend. Unfortunately, they get Michigan next who’s currently hot off a beatdown of Nebraska.

Northwestern has a good chance to drop this game and continue its disappointing season. It doesn’t have a great schedule ahead either. Road games at Michigan State and Iowa loom as well as home games against Wisconsin and Notre Dame. A win isn’t required against Michigan, but a strong performance is. Otherwise, it’s very easy to see the Wildcats finishing below .500 in a season they were hoping to compete for a division title.

Pat Fitzgerald is one of the best coaches in the Big Ten and is capable of turning things around. It just isn’t going to be easy.

The rest of the division is in rough shape too though. With an upset or two along the way, the season is still salvageable. This team won 10 games last year and its quarterback, Clayton Thorson, is still there. Maybe a bye week is just what Northwestern needed to get back on track.