Badgers ranked in the top 20 in early 2021 rankings

MADISON, Wis. – The 2020 college football season just ended with Monday night's national title game but that didn't stop a number of publications from releasing their "Way Too Early Top 25" rankings for the 2021 season. And judging from Wisconsin's inclusion on the lists, the optimism for the Badgers next fall is palpable.

Below is a complete list of where the Badgers rank with links to each site's complete top 25:

Athlon Sports - #11
- "The 2021 schedule breaks favorably for the Badgers. Penn State, Michigan, Army, Northwestern and Iowa all visit Camp Randall Stadium."
Orlando Sentinel - #12
- "The Badgers did, however, show some positive signs they can take into next season as Graham Mertz emerged as a solid contributor at quarterback and the defense was among the best in the Big Ten."
The Athletic (subscription) - #13
- "Freshman Jalen Berger emerged as Wisconsin's next star tailback, and he'll likely be running behind four veteran O-linemen."
USA Today - #14
- "The defense, like previous seasons, will again be one of the best in the country with Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal anchoring the linebacker group."
Stadium - #15
- "The Badgers open the season at home against Penn State and end the regular season at home vs. Iowa. Wisconsin's success in those games could determine its Big Ten and College Football Playoff hopes."
ESPN.com - #17
- "Jim Leonhard's defense … with linebackers Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal returning, the unit will be among the best in the FBS in 2021."
Sporting News - #19
- "The defense returns enough talent among the back seven to re-establish the Badgers in the Big Ten West."
247Sports - #19
- "The Badgers have some momentum after beating rival Minnesota and winning the Duke's Mayo Bowl to end the year."

Additionally, six of Wisconsin's 2021 opponents (including five of the seven who visit Camp Randall) appear in the various rankings. Below is a list of the opponents, the date the Badgers are scheduled to play them and their highest placement among the early Top 25s.

Notre Dame (Sept. 25 in Chicago) - #6 Sporting News
Penn State (Sept. 4 at Camp Randall) - #10 Stadium
Iowa (Nov. 27 at Camp Randall) - #11 The Athletic
Michigan (Oct. 2 at Camp Randall) - #22 USA Today
Army (Oct. 16 at Camp Randall) - #24 Sporting News
Northwestern (Oct. 30 at Camp Randall) - #25 247Sports

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Badgers ranked in the top 20 in early 2021 rankings

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Players Mentioned

Jalen Berger

Leo Chenal

Graham Mertz

Jack Sanborn

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