CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli gives Wisconsin a label that will turn a lot of heads

Tom Fornelli, one of the leading CBS Sports writers and personalities, was part of the Cover 3 Podcast the other day. When each panelist was naming their dark horse, Fornelli went out on a limb and named Wisconsin. He had a bunch of reasons why he is more bullish on them than he should be, but identified one primary reason at the end of his justification.

He started with the fact that he knows it's a surprising pick. Fornelli called Wisconsin a "dark, dark horse." But he went on to give five reasons why Wisconsin may actually do some damage in the conference. Let's break down Fornelli's reasoning and land on what he calls his "primary" reason.

Tom Fornelli gives five reasons why Wisconsin is the dark horse this year in the Big Ten

Related: Luke Fickell makes it clear that Wisconsin has Notre Dame circled on the calendar

1. The injuries have killed the last few seasons for Luke Fickell

The first reason Fornelli gives for being higher on Wisconsin than any of his colleagues is that Fickell and Wisconsin have never really been able to get their seasons going due to injury. "If you look at this team the last few years, they've been crushed by injuries." Fornelli explains, "More so than most other programs." He said the defense was holding its own, but the offense couldn't score; they were down to their third-string quarterback, fourth-string running back, and third-string offensive tackle.

He's literally not running his mouth; he knows Wisconsin football because that is exactly what happened at multiple points during the season. A healthy Wisconsin is going to look different.

2. The defense was really good and will be again

He is very high on the defense. Fornelli said that last season the defense was one of the best in the country, and he's not wrong. The Badgers were top-25 in yards allowed per game and top-15 in rushing yards allowed per game. In a schedule that featured games against Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, and the national champions, Indiana. Not to mention Washington, Illinois, or Michigan.

This year, the defense should be just as good if not better. Fornelli is high on Wisconsin's defense.

3. The transfers coming in our impressive and will revamp the offense

Fornelli then busts out a list of transfers he's excited about, particularly on the offense. He names Abu Sama III and Colton Joseph as two players to watch. He says, "Colton Joseph's legs add another dimension to that offense at quarterback. To give them a cheat code in the run game."

4. The new running system under Jeff Grimes

As he waxes eloquently about the run game, he brings up the fact that the run game under Grimes is now in year two and will look much more like Baylor's did a few years ago when Grimes was there. Fornelli believes the revamped run scheme will cause problems in the Big Ten. Which is music to any Wisconsin fan's ears.

5. Wisconsin has an easy schedule in 2026

Then he lists his primary reason. Tom Fornelli says the main reason he sees Wisconsin as the dark horse in the Big Ten is because of the schedule. "Have you seen that schedule, guys?"

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