The Big Ten conference is most commonly known for its old school-style play, cold weather and stellar defensive units.
The Wisconsin football program is probably the perfect embodiment of all three, finishing near the top of the conference in nearly every defensive category year after year.
On average over the last three seasons each Big Ten team has allowed 671 points. The Wisconsin Badgers? 492.
Fewest points allowed by Big Ten defenses over the past three seasons:
➤ Iowa – 476
➤ Wisconsin – 492
➤ Penn State – 494
➤ Michigan State – 524
➤ Michigan – 552
Big Ten avg – 671 pic.twitter.com/JV8bbhbOnF— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 15, 2020
As seen above that mark is good for second behind Iowa’s 476 and ahead of Penn State’s 494, Michigan State’s 524 and Michigan’s 552.
What’s crazy to think about is that the best years may be yet to come for Jim Leonhard’s unit, as the program has landed commitments from top defensive prospects including Braelon Allen, Hunter Wohler and T.J. Bollers.
What we do know at this point, though, is for however long Leonhard stays around on Paul Chryst’s staff the defensive unit will be one of the best in the conference and in the country. After his time in Madison is done? Who knows. But the unit right now has been great and seems to be only getting better.