TV/radio: 11 a.m. Saturday, ABC-7, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Wisconsin by 7.
Records: Wisconsin 6-2, 3-2 Big Ten; Northwestern 4-4, 3-2.
Last meeting: The Wildcats’ 13-7 victory on Nov. 21, 2015, in Madison, Wis., left coach Pat Fitzgerald “speechless.” Two replay reviews overruled what originally appeared to be Wisconsin touchdowns on the Badgers’ final drive. Northwestern had a 5-0 edge in turnovers.
Keys to the game
Can Wisconsin peak … again? Other than an open date in early October, the Badgers have had no chill time. Their last four opponents were Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska. Wisconsin has risen to the occasion each time, going 2-2 with a seven-point loss to the Wolverines and an overtime defeat to the Buckeyes.
Can Northwestern stay fresh? Fitzgerald offered a new explanation for his team’s awful Sept. 10 performance against Illinois State. He was so ticked about losing to Western Michigan in the opener, he said he “shredded our guys” at practice that week. “I probably took our legs out of our guys, and it’s my fault,” he said. The Wildcats have had no let-up since beating Iowa on Oct. 1.
Can the Wildcats stop the run? Despite its reputation, Wisconsin is 11th in the Big Ten with 4.1 yards per carry. Of course the Badgers have had to play LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa — and Corey Clement missed the Georgia State game. Wisconsin did dent Nebraska for 223 yards on 38 carries Saturday. Northwestern has been mostly good at containing the run, with two exceptions: Nebraska (310 yards) and J.T. Barrett’s 35-yard scamper that sealed the loss at Ohio State.
Teddy Greenstein’s pick: It’s a tight series, and it will be an even tighter game. Wisconsin 23, Northwestern 21.
