MADISON, Wis. -- By most measures, Wisconsin's 2015 defense will be regarded as one of the best the program has seen in the past 50 years.
The Badgers lead the nation in scoring defense, and rank third in total defense. They can pressure quarterbacks, stuff the run, and frustrate receivers accustomed to finding open space. They have largely lived up to the challenge every Saturday, providing an uneven offense with a safety blanket.
And yet, with Wisconsin (9-3) on the cusp of playing USC (8-5) in the National Funding Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30, questions persist about the validity of those accomplishments.