Let’s flashback to October 15. Wisconsin has just fallen to Michigan State in double-overtime less than two weeks after firing their head coach. Illinois had just rolled to their fifth-straight win by taking down Minnesota. A Big Ten West crown seemed like an impossibility in 2022.
On November 5, there is still a lot that needs to happen for Wisconsin end up in Indianapolis come December. A lot, however, has gone the Badgers’ way over the last few weeks.
Today was the perfect storm. Wisconsin defeated Maryland while Illinois lost as a heavy favorite at home to Michigan State. After today’s results, a six-way tie in the Big Ten West is still in play. That’s how tight the race is with three weeks left.
Wisconsin currently sits at 3-3 in the Big Ten West with Illinois at 4-2. There are three games left on the schedule. Let’s dig into how Wisconsin can improbably end up Big Ten West champs: