1. Fired-Up Seniors
With this being the last Big Ten home game for the Badgers this season, keep a close eye on the Wisconsin seniors who take the field against Minnesota.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers Jonathan Casillas and DeAndre Levy, defensive linemen Jason Chapman, Mike Newkirk and Matt Shaughnessy and defensive back Allen Langford will all be suiting up in Badger red for the last time against a Big Ten opponent. Look for their tackling to be that much harder, their speed to be that much faster, and their intensity to be that much higher.
Watch for senior offensive linemen Kraig Urbik, Eric Vandenheuvel and Andy Kemp to propel the running game past the Gopher defense.
These seniors will have another game after this week, but it is against FCS opponent Cal Poly. This week is their last chance to impact a game against a bitter in-conference rival.
2. Red-Hot Running Game
As the temperature starts to drop, the Badger running game keeps getting hotter. Junior P.J. Hill and freshman sensation John Clay have both run for at least 100 yards in the past two weeks. Look for head coach Bret Bielema to pound the football on the ground against Minnesota, as well.
Sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath showed he can contribute to the ground game surprisingly well, as he supplied 168 of the 441 rushing yards against Indiana.
Besides the great yardage total, the Badgers tied a school record with seven rushing touchdowns. It will be difficult to repeat last week's performance, but look for the ground game to take center stage again this week, especially if junior quarterback Dustin Sherer continues to fail to establish a consistent passing game. Minnesota will represent a stronger rush defense than Indiana, but that will not stop Wisconsin from sticking with the running game.
3. Battle for the Axe
The rivalry game between Minnesota and Wisconsin is something that every Badger fan marks on their calendar each season. Both teams go head-to-head for 60 minutes, running, tackling, throwing and kicking all in an effort to hold that illustrious axe high in the air after a hard-fought victory. Yes, that is what it is all about. The Axe.
Regardless of how either team has performed throughout the season, playing for Paul Bunyan's Axe always seems to bring out the best in both squads, making each game worthy of remembrance. Minnesota has not tasted Badger blood on the Axe since the 2003 season.
Last year's struggling Gophers took a top-25 Wisconsin team down to the wire in their late-season showdown. Look for the Gophers to display some added intensity this week, as they would like nothing more than to come into Camp Randall, take down the Badgers, and leave with the Axe.
4. Minnesota's Turnaround
In his second year as head coach of the Gophers, Tim Brewster has engineered a remarkable turnaround for the once-struggling Minnesota football program.
In his first season in charge, the Gophers experienced one of their worst records in program history, going 1-11 and 0-8 in Big Ten play. This season could not be any more different. Thus far, Brewster has led the Gophers to a 7-3 record and bowl eligibility.
However, two of those three losses have come in the past two weeks, and at home.
Brewster is sure to have his team more than prepared for their trip to Madison this weekend, as a win would do wonders for that sour taste that is surely in their mouths.
This game also has major recuiting ramifications. Whoever proves to be the better squad out of the two states will have a slightly sweeter sales pitch. If Minnesota puts an end to this streak they may begin to steal some Wisconsin in-state recruits.
5. Speed Kills
At just 5'11\, sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath may be a bit difficult to spot on the football field.
That is, until he breaks away from the pack and makes his way into the end zone.
Gilreath has taken the role of a jack-of-all-trades for Wisconsin this season. Whether it is returning kickoffs or punts, taking handoffs or catching the ball, Gilreath has the skill and speed to make something happen. He brings a homerun threat to an offense that badly struggles to stretch the field.
Gilreath's performances have experienced a heightened importance in the passing game with the absence of Travis Beckum. Recently, Gilreath has also shown off his talents in the run game. He has a total of 290 yards and two touchdowns rushing this year.
Keep an eye on Gilreath against Minnesota, as the little guy is sure to make a tremendous difference on Saturday.
