The 2023 college football season is almost on us and the Badgers are now 20 days from their season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 2 at home. With Luke Fickell taking over, many have wondered if Wisconsin’s identity will change and in turn, if their defense will remain as good following Jim Leonhard’s departure.
Wisconsin’s defense allowed 20.2 points per game last season, ranking 17th in the entire nation. That was with defensive coordinator and eventual interim head coach Jim Leonhard at the helm.
Now with Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel coming over from Cincinnati, they’ll have to maintain the team’s defensive reputation. The two men produced some very strong results with the Bearcats and in 2022, their defense allowed 20.6 points per game.
With players like Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner leading the defense in Madison, they should have no trouble continuing their success in 2023.
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