(This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo)
Wisconsin begins Big Ten play on Saturday with a road trip to No. 13 USC.
The game is one of several tough matchups that await the Badgers during their challenging Big Ten slate. Given the team’s slow start to the season, there aren’t many that appear more important than the opener against the Trojans.
Related: Wisconsin updated depth chart for Week 5 vs. USC includes new starters at quarterback, tight end
USC enters Saturday off a tough 27-24 road loss to No. 12 Michigan. But it remains a projected contender in the conference. That is due to another prolific Lincoln Riley offense and a much-improved defense under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
Wisconsin has a connection to that defensive improvement. Former USC DC Alex Grinch, who led the Trojans to become arguably the nation’s worst defensive team, is now the Badgers safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator. Luke Fickell brought him in this offseason after he was fired from USC last November.
Those connections will also be seen on the field. Wisconsin wide receiver C.J. Williams is a former USC Trojan — he transferred to the Badgers before the 2023 season after playing one year for Riley’s program. Badgers inside linebacker Tackett Curtis also has the same connection. He chose the Trojans over the Badgers coming out of high school, then transferred to Wiscosin before this season after playing for USC as a true freshman in 2023.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell discussed those connections during his Monday media availability. His message: “This is about Wisconsin vs. USC.”
#Badgers have a couple of ties to USC.
C.J. Williams and Tackett Curtis both played there. Alex Grinch coached there. Atticus Bertrams was committed there.
Fickell’s message to that group: “This is about Wisconsin versus USC. Don’t make it about anything different.”
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 23, 2024
The Badgers and Trojans will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The game is pivotal to each team’s season — Wisconsin needing an upward trajectory and USC needing to return to the top of the conference standings.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.