Wisconsin's defensive coordinator Mike Tressel was getting slammed during and after Week 1 when Notre Dame blasted the Badgers. There was concern that Tressel's defense simply didn't have what it took this season, and it felt like there were glaring holes all over the place. And then something remarkable happened: the Badgers' defense became one of the best defenses in the country.
Wisconsin played the next four games after Notre Dame, allowing only two total touchdowns. One to Eastern Michigan and one to Penn State. That's it. The team simply wasn't letting anything get across the goal line.
Even if you throw that Notre Dame game back in the mix, Wisconsin is among the nation's best at not allowing a touchdown. According to new stats published by "The Fourth Quarter," the Badgers rank No. 6 in defensive touchdown-allowed rate at 11.5%. This actually ties with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The only teams ahead of the Badgers are Miami, Texas, Florida International, Baylor, and New Mexico.
How Often Does Your Defense Allow a TD? pic.twitter.com/bIjyVEzByH
— The Fourth Quarter (@4thQuarterCFB00) October 6, 2026
Wisconsin's defense has been amazing this season under Mike Tressel
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Wisconsin is climbing the defensive rankings in basically every category, but this one is the best. The "bend but don't break" defense has been incredible. Yet, they still could clean up some of the chunk plays and things that lead to the red zone. Yet, even that is being nitpicky because against Michigan State, the Badgers only allowed three total points the whole day.
Here is how Wisconsin's Defense ranks among FBS teams:
Points per game: 29th (16.6 PPG)
Rushing yards per game: 41st (114.6 RYPG)
Passing yards per game: 11th (152.6 PYPG)
Total Yards per game: 19th (267.2 YPG)
PFF total grade based on competition: 3rd
The last one is important because PFF accounts for the opponents these teams have played and considers Wisconsin the third-best defense in the country. That's huge.
The other notable stat in that mix is the passing yards per game. Including Notre Dame, the Badgers aren't letting quarterbacks or receivers break open or get downfield. Holding an opposing offense to under 200 yards per game is an elite-level defense. Mike Tressel's defense is doing this and doing it exceptionally.
Robert Steeples gets some credit for this; the new Wisconsin cornerbacks coach has his unit rocking and rolling. It was actually one of the concerns for fans going into the year: a lot of unknowns in that group, and yet it's been arguably the best part of the defense for the Badgers. Javan Robinson and Bryce West stand out as the key figures in this group, but the other boundary corner(s) have also held it down.
Of course, the defensive line being huge and plugging holes with Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano flying downhill doesn't hurt at all either.
All of this is to say that when Mike Tressel's defense was getting slammed after Week 1, the Badgers' unit turned it around and is now among the best in the FBS. The goal is now to keep it flying high all season.
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