Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell watches during the first half against Penn State on Oct. 26 in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, file)

Wisconsin’s improving defense faces its biggest test of the season thus far when the Badgers visit No 19 Alabama. Wisconsin is a 20 1/2-point underdog in the highest-profile game involving a Big Ten team this week. The Badgers are seeking to beat a Top 25 team for the first time in Luke Fickell’s three-year coaching tenure. Another interesting matchup involving a Big Ten school has Minnesota traveling to California in a matchup of unbeaten teams.

Things to watch this week in the Big Ten:

Game of the week

Wisconsin (2-0) at No. 19 Alabama (1-1), noon ET (ABC)

Wisconsin wanted to upgrade a defense that slipped into mediocrity last year. The Badgers have responded by shutting out Miami (Ohio) 17-0 and beating Middle Tennessee 42-10 in their first two games. Now comes a much bigger test.

Alabama lost at Florida State in its opener before rolling to a 73-0 victory over Louisiana-Monroe last week. Wisconsin hasn’t indicated whether Billy Edwards Jr. is healthy enough to play, or if Danny O’Neil will start at quarterback instead.

BetMGM Sportsbook has Alabama as a 20 1/2-point favorite. Wisconsin is 0-6 against Top 25 teams during coach Luke Fickell’s three-year tenure, including a 42-10 home loss to Alabama last year.

The undercard

Minnesota (2-0) at California (2-0), 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Minnesota gets ready for its Big Ten schedule by heading to the West Coast to face a Cal team that has produced lopsided victories over Oregon State and Texas Southern.

Cal freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has completed 69% of his passes for 493 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

BetMGM has Minnesota as a 1 1/2-point favorite.

Impact players

— Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles threw four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth in the Spartans’ 42-40 victory over Boston College. He also threw the winning two-point conversion pass in double overtime.

— Illinois OLB Gabe Jacas is the only FBS player to post a sack and a forced fumble in consecutive games this season.

— Ohio State QB Julian Sayin went 18 of 19 and completed his first 16 passes in the top-ranked Buckeyes’ 70-0 shutout of Grambling State.

Get to know him

Biff Poggi, who is normally Michigan’s associate head coach, will be the interim head coach for the Wolverines’ next two games while Sherrone Moore serves a suspension as part of the school’s self-imposed sanctions for NCAA violations related to a sign-stealing investigation.

Poggi was Michigan’s associate head coach from 2021-22 before leaving to become Charlotte’s head coach. He was fired after going 6-16 in two seasons at Charlotte, and now he’s back at Michigan.