Saturday night in Madison will be a fascinating clash between two programs in vastly different places.

Wisconsin entered the season with the general understanding that this is a do-or-die year for head coach Luke Fickell . After the skipper oversaw three straight seasons of decline in Madison, 2026 was — and still is — his last chance to prove that he's turned this program around. Six games into the year, the jury is still out.

USC, meanwhile, also entered the 2026 campaign with the understanding that this is a do-or-die year for head coach Lincoln Riley . After the Trojans' win total dropped in each of the years in which he's been at the helm, a 9-4 record last season (including an important 7-2 mark in conference play) helped extend his leash. But make no mistake; it's playoffs or bust for Riley and company this fall.

Both coaches have faltered early in the year but still have everything in front of them.…