Wisconsin made a few statements with its 38-17 Week 1 win over Buffalo.
Those statements weren’t about the team suddenly being National Championship contenders under Luke Fickell, that will likely take some time. But the team did show the nation that despite Phil Longo’s air raid offense, the team is going to run the football. And it’s going to run the football really, really well.
There are plenty of remaining games for style points to be added and statements to be made. The opportunity comes this weekend when the Badgers head out to Pullman, Washington for a revenge spot against the Washington State Cougars.
Related: Big Ten starting quarterback rankings after Week 1: Where’s Mordecai?
Wisconsin will enter the contest ranked No. 19 in the Week 2 AP Top 25, the same ranking it had entering last week.
The Week 2 AP Top 25 is in 🙌
Which team should be ranked higher? pic.twitter.com/1Voq5Jb4lN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2023
Other Big Ten teams ranked include Michigan at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 5 and Penn State at No. 7. Wisconsin is the highest-ranked Big Ten West team and the only in the top 25.
The Badgers’ ranking should rise with a decisive win over Washington State this weekend.