Nebraska @ Wisconsin

There is no question the best game in the Big Ten is in Madison, where a 4-0 Nebraska comes a calling on a 4-0 Wisconsin. This game has several great story lines: Nebraska first ever Big Ten throw down, BCS implications, Heisman Trophy Candidates, and perhaps a sneak peek @ the Big Ten Divisional Championship Game in Indianapolis on December 4th. The Game Day Crew will be in town to hype all these stories and more as this meeting is a night time affair. The Badgers and Cornhuskers have played 5 times in their long histories, with “the people of the corn” winning 3, the last meeting was in 1974.

Nebraska invades Mad Town with home wins over an FCS team, Chattanooga 40-7, Fresno State 41-29, Washington 51-38, & a lone road victory over Wyoming 38-14. The Badgers welcome them to Camp Randall, where they have pounded UNLV 51-17, Oregon State 35-0, & South Dakota 59-10 . Wisconsin has strayed from home once thus far this season, to Chicago’s Soldiers Field, where they routed Northern Illinois 49-7.

Wisconsin is averaging 532.3 YPG (yards per game), best in the Big Ten and ranked 8th nationally, while Nebraska is moving the ball to the tune of 439.0 YPG, rating 4th in the Conference and the 36th best offense in the country. On Defense, Wisconsin boasts the 2nd best unit in the Conference and 7th rated nationally, giving up 246.5 of total offense, while Nebraska is surrendering 349.8 yards in total offense, 7th in the Big Ten & 52nd best in the land. The Badgers lead the Conference and are ranked 3rd in the nation in scoring defense, giving up 8.5 PPG (points per game) while the Cornhuskers are allowing 22.0, ninth best in the league and 46th in the country. The two teams rank 1 & 2 in scoring offense in the Big Ten, the Badgers 48.5 and the Huskers 42.8.

The QB match-up is one of the most intriguing factors as game time approaches. Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson, a transfer from North Carolina State, is having a phenomenal year. He is ranked 2nd in the country and first in the Big Ten in Passing Efficiency. Wilson is averaging an incredible 12.5 YPA (yards per attempt) and an equally impressive 16.5 YPC (yards per completion). This means that every time he throws the ball, not completes it, just attempts a pass, it is the equivalent of a Badger 1st down. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska’s QB, is leading his team in rushing, 421 yards in his first 4 games, 105 YPG and 6.68 YPC. These numbers make him the second leading rusher in the Big Ten. Martinez has scored 42 points and is currently tied for 3rd in the conference, with teammate Rex Burkhead.

Nebraska has the number 2 and 3 rushers in the Big Ten, Taylor Martinez 6.68 YPC & Rex Burkhead 6.67 YPC, while the Badgers offer Monte Ball 5.71 YPC and James White 6.73 YPC ranked 5th and 8th respectively in the Conference. The Huskers leading receiver is Jamal Turner, 8 catches, for a 139 total yards, zero TD’s, 17.4 YPC and 34.8 YPG. The Badgers counter with Nick Toon, 21 catches, for 353 total yards, 5 TD’s, 14.3 YPC and 88.3 YPG.

On defense, LB (linebacker) Lavonte David is Nebraska’s leading tackler, with 9.5 per game, while the Badgers are led by LB Chris Borland’s 8.75 TPG. A few other players to watch on defense are Nebraska’s D tackle, Jared Crick, one of the best in the country and Linebacker Daimion Stafford who is averaging 7.3 TPG. While another Wisconsin LB, Mike Taylor, is averaging 7.5 TPG.

Emotions will be sky high come Saturday Night, the team that manages them best will have an edge. That said, Wisconsin’s run or pass offense is to balanced for the Husker defense. Wisconsin 35 Nebraska 21