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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts to a stop during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Michigan 24-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts to a stop during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Michigan 24-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

6. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin established themselves last season as a potential College Football Playoff team. Often times when people think about the Big Ten they jump to the East Division and think about Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Michigan.

The Badgers are the class of the Western Division and deserve to belong in the same conversation as the other programs in the East. They went 13-1 and until the Big Ten Championship was in a position to make it into the College Football Playoff. They dropped the Championship to Ohio State and were relegated to the Bowl game against Miami which they won.

The defense is going to be the key for this team. Their offense will be good enough to get them through the regular season. However, with their upcoming schedule, there are some teams they cannot get into a shootout with. On the road in Iowa, Michigan and Penn State will be tough games. They will need to lock down on defense and shut down the run. If they end up facing Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship again stopping the run will be crucial.

Who is the key to them stopping the run? Inside linebacker T.J. Edwards is the Badgers x-factor who will be responsible for shutting down the run. In his three seasons, he has always had over 80 tackles each season. He added in four interceptions last year which was a bonus. The Badgers got a major boost when he announced he would be returning for his senior year.

The Badgers are returning a lot of starts from last season meaning the group is battle tested and ready to take on anyone. There are not a lot of holes in the lineup. The play of the linebackers, Edwards particularly, will be crucial in slowing down offenses and getting theirs back onto the field.