The performance of the Wisconsin defense against Rutgers could prove helpful with physical games against Iowa and Penn State in the next three weeks.

Fickell and the coaching staff deserve credit for the team’s significant improvement. Saturday’s win against Rutgers was a great example: Fickell and Mike Tressel’s defense did well to limit Rutgers star RB Kyle Monangai and held strong in key short-yardage situations — both areas the team had struggled during the first four weeks of the season.