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Iowa football: How the Big Ten West looks through two weeks

By Andrew Wade

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a pass during the second half in front of linebacker Marcel Spears #42 of the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a pass during the second half in front of linebacker Marcel Spears #42 of the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 11: Nathan Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Olive Sagapolu #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 11: Nathan Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Olive Sagapolu #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin is in a class of its own

It’s pretty well-known that the rest of the Big Ten West is chasing the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers are the top of the class and are a sleeper pick to make the College Football Playoffs. Currently, they are ranked within the top 10 of multiple media outlets.

The Badgers are led by an imposing offensive line that is arguably the best in the nation. Last year’s Big Ten West champions return four All-Big Ten lineman. Running behind that offensive line is Heisman hopeful, sophomore running back Jonathon Taylor who nearly rushed for 2,000 yards last season.

Through two games this season, the Badgers have shown some issues, but ultimately end up picking it up as the game progresses. The biggest concerns are slow starts and Taylor fumbles. Those type of issues don’t matter too much in games against Western Kentucky and New Mexico, but in the Big Ten conference schedule that could easily spark an upset.

Next week, the Badgers take on BYU before beginning their conference play against the Iowa football program at Kinnick. Unfortunately for the Badgers, they face Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa football team at night, which is never easy. Just ask Michigan from two years ago.

Moreover, the Badgers don’t have the most conducive schedule for running the table, however. They have other away games at Michigan and Penn State.

So while the Badgers might be far and away the most talented team in the conference, their schedule and vulnerabilities to turnovers in the running game are opportunities for other teams in the conference, including the Iowa football team, to take surprising control of first place in the Big Ten West.

As the season continues to progress, we will keep you posted on where each of these teams stand in the conference.