The Athletic has put together their list of the top 25 football programs of the last 25 years, and Wisconsin, who has been no stranger to success since Barry Alvarez entered the picture, was one of the teams to make the countdown. The list took into account winning percentage, bowl appearances, national championships, conference championships, wins against ranked opponents, and number of losing seasons.
The Athletic ranks Wisconsin as the 16th best program over the last 25 years, citing their consistency.
"Wisconsin was a picture of consistency until recently, winning at least 10 games all but five times from 2005-19 under coaches Barry Alvarez, Bret Bielema, Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst. It went to three straight Rose Bowls from 2010-12. But the Badgers have also never reached the CFP and have just 10 top-10 wins"
Badgers lack of recent success has brought up questions about the program
It's worth noting the not so subtle shots at current head coach Luke Fickell, who failed to make a bowl game for the first time in over 20 years, and sports a .500 overall record. While the Badgers were never in the category of a top-tier, elite team, they've now sunk to a middling team in the Big Ten striving to just achieve a winning a record.
With this year's brutal schedule, Wisconsin will be faced with a a tough challenge to turn things around. While anything is possible, it would certainly be a surprise to see the Badgers competing for a spot at the top of the conference. Fickell will have a warm seat entering the season, and with the success of past years breathing down his neck, he'll face a lot of pressure to show progress.
The number one team on the list is one the Badgers will face this year. Ohio State claims the top spot of the best team over the last 25 years, having won three national titles in that time, and Wisconsin take on the powerhouse at home on October 18th.