Editor’s Note: This is the 20th story of a 25-part series. Using our still-too-early Top 25, 247Sports is giving a post-National Signing Day outlook for college football’s top teams.

Wisconsin Spring Game: April 13

Wisconsin had, arguably, the best season in its history a year ago.

The Badgers won a program-record 13 games with their only loss coming to Ohio State in the Big Ten title game by just a six-point margin. Wisconsin, as it’s proved with its consistency under Paul Chryst, is one of the premier programs in the country. Now the Badgers need to prove they can take the next step by winning a Big Ten title and reaching the CFB Playoff.

Could 2018 be the year? Talent and experience won’t be a problem, that’s for sure.

Offseason Outlook

(Returning Starters: Offense – 9, Defense – 4)

In order to be successful on offense, a team must have a staple. One thing, be it a particular play or player, that a program can count on at any time. Wisconsin, perhaps more than anyone in the country, can count on its run game.

Think the Badgers would see a rushing drop off with Super Bowl hero Corey Clement and first round offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk off to the NFL? Nah. Instead, true freshman running back Jonathan Taylor set a NCAA freshman record with 1,977 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns. That offensive line, which has everyone coming bak in 2018, had all five starters earn at least a 77.7 PFF College grade.

That’s a heck of a foundation, and it’s why the Badgers will almost certainly be Big Ten title contenders again next season.

As for why they could be great offensively, it’s the supporting cast to the running game. This starts with rising junior QB Alex Hornibrook. One of the most improved players in the country a year ago, Horibrook threw for 2,644 yards and 25 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. His completion percentage jumped to 62.3 from 58.6 as a freshman. PFF College graded Horibrook as a 81 for the year, which ranked 48th overall in the country among quarterbacks.

Hornibrook wasn’t always good, and he struggled in a loss against Ohio State. But you saw a flash of what he could be (23-of-34 for 258 yards, 4 TDs) in a 34-24 win over Miami in the Orange Bowl. If Hornibrook repeat those types of performances in 2018, the Badgers’ offense is potentially dangerous.

As for the players on the other end of Hornibrook's passes, Quintez Cephus (30 catches, 501 yards) proved remarkably effective in just 383 snaps last year, earning an 84 PFF grade. Freshman receiver Danny Davis wowed late in the season, finishing with 418 yards and five touchdowns. A.J. Taylor also developed into a consistent target (31 catches, 475 yards) and had a breakout performance in the Orange Bowl with eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Wisconsin will have to replace star tight end Troy Fumagalli (46 catches, 547 yards) and fullback Austin Ramesh. But this is a potentially potent offense if Horibrook continues to develop.

Nobody had a better debut season than Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a year ago. The Badgers finished second nationally in total defense and third nationally in yards allowed per play.

Things won’t be nearly as easy in 2018, however.

Wisconsin is losing seven defensive starters, including both of the team’s starting defensive ends (Alec James, Conor Sheehy), linebacker Leon Jacobs (60 tackles, 10 TFL) and Garret Dooley (10.5 TFL) and All-American corner Nick Nelson.

The front seven should be just fine.

Jacobs and Dooley both excelled as pass rushers, but the Badgers have plenty in reserve. Wisconsin won big when T.J. Edwards (81 tackles, 11 TFL) returned to school for his senior season. Add him into a linebacker group that includes Andrew Van Ginkel (10 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and Ryan Connelly (88 tackles, 11 TFL), and Wisconsin is set on the second level yet again.

Starting nose tackle Olive Sagapolu is back to anchor the defensive front as a senior. Watch out for Isaiahh Loudermilk – an all-name team special – and Garrett Rand to take over at defensive end.

Offseason Storyline to Follow

Wisconsin’s offseason will be defined mostly by underclassmen and young players stepping up to fill roster cracks, because, after next season, there will need to be a bit of a roster renaissance in Madison. But outside of that the Badgers’ biggest question of the offseason is the development of a new-look secondary.

Here’s how Wisconsin’s three departing defensive backs graded per PFF: Nelson (88.9, 5th among CBs), Natrell Jamerson (88.6, 9th among safties) and Derrick Tindal (82, 74th among CBs).

That’s a heck of a lot of talent leaving town for a pass defense that allowed the third-fewest yards per pass in the country.

D’Cota Dixon is back at safety for the Badgers. He graded as an 82.2 a season ago per PFF College, and should serve as an experienced anchor for the group. As for the other three starting positions, Dontye Carriere-Williams took 526 snaps a year ago, but he also struggled at times drawing a 57.6 PFF College grade. Madison Cone flashed well as a freshman last season and could start at corner. He’ll have competition from Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams. Safety will have a crowded competition with Patrick Johnson, Eric Burrell, Scott Nelson and Seth Currens competing for snaps.

The Badgers will again be good in the front seven. In order for the defense to remain elite, Wisconsin needs to see the secondary coalesce this offseason.

Instant-Impact Addition

Donte Burton (CB): There isn’t one player who jumps off the page as an instant impact contributor for a deep Badgers team, but I think Burton and a few corner signees have a shot, as the roster turnover in the secondary means there's room for a true freshman contributor to jump in. Burton, a 6-foot, 165-pound athlete with great quickness and fluidity could contribute right away. He needs to add a little weight as an early enrollee, but he’s the type of player who’s always around to play the football – paramount for a corner. Travian Blaylock, a three-star corner from Texas, will also have a chance to get on the field as a true freshman.

Previous Teams Ranked in 247Sports' Top 25 Countdown

No. 25: South Carolina

No. 24: Notre Dame

No. 23: Oregon

No. 22: USC

No. 21: Kansas State

No. 20: LSU

No. 19: UCF

No. 18: West Virginia

No. 17: Virginia Tech

No. 16: TCU

No. 15: Florida State

No. 14: Mississippi State

No. 13: Stanford

No. 12: Michigan

No. 11: Auburn

No. 10: Penn State

No. 9: Washington

No. 8: Oklahoma

No. 7: Michigan State