Wisconsin literally has one of the best rush defenses in the country. They rank fourth in the nation in yards allowed per game at less than 50. 46.3 yards to be exact. It's elite with only three teams currently better than them, and one of those teams (BYU) has only played two games against inferior opponents.
To make it more stout, Wisconsin is the only one in the top-4 that has played a ranked team in this early season. The Badgers truly could have something cooking ahead of their Big Ten schedule, which begins this week at home versus Maryland.
The teams in the top five:
BYU Cougars - 7.0
Minnesota Golden Gophers - 41.3
Texas Tech Red Raiders - 41.7
Wisconsin Badgers - 46.3
LSU Tigers - 56.0
Alabama tested the rush defense for Wisconsin and the Badgers passed
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Going into the Alabama game, they were averaging less than 35 yards allowed per game in the first two contests. They took on Miami (OH) and only allowed 34 yards on the ground. In week two, it was Middle Tennessee, in which only 33 yards were surrendered in rushing. That's elite, no matter who you play.
However, the litmus test for the run defense was always going to be Alabama. For they are ranked No. 19 (going into the game) and have some dynamic running backs and a quarterback who is not afraid to call his own number and get a first down. However, the Badgers continued to bottle things up for the rushing attack. The Crimson Tide only rushed for 72 yards.
Out of those 72 yards, only 45 were given up to running backs. That's truly going to matter going into the Big Ten. Most teams won't have a quarterback like Ty Simpson or playmakers like Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard.
Luke Fickell said he wanted to improve the defensive line and stop the run, and so far, he's been able to come through on that promise. Hopefully, it will translate into a better year on the win column, or his seat will only get hotter and hotter.