Wisconsin has risen in the rankings after boasting a stop rate of 81% against Purdue, 93% against Rutgers and 91% against Northwestern. The team scored a combined 117 points over those three games. But that defensive dominance has been at the center of the stretch that has turned around the team’s season.

Wisconsin’s decisive advantage came with its defense on the field. The unit allowed just 209 total yards — 82 passing and 127 rushing. It scored nine points, in essence, with the aforementioned forced turnover on the goal line and a safety late in the second half.

Wisconsin travels to Northwestern this week as seven-point favorites to take on the Wildcats. Northwestern is 3-3 this season, but they're coming off a 37-10 bl