Ghastly protection
Through the first five games of the season, the Wisconsin offensive line allowed just two sacks. In the Badger's last two contests, between Ohio State and Iowa, Scot Tolzien has been taken down behind the line of scrimmage 10 times. As a result, the junior quarterback has thrown five interceptions, while failing to pass for a touchdown. Although Tolzien took the blame for his three interceptions against Iowa, saying they were just poor decisions, a solid defensive line would give Tolzien a better chance at making good choices. Tolzien is still averaging a 63.6 percemt pass completion, but too often, his passes are falling into the wrong hands. Wisconsin will continue to face a tough defensive line this week against Purdue, and the Badgers must step it up for any chance at an effective passing game.
Monster mash
One man who stands out in particular on the Purdue defensive line is Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan currently leads the Big Ten in sacks with 7.5 while collecting 12 tackles for a loss this season. The Boilermaker was named both Big Ten and National Defensive player of the week after his team upset Ohio State two weeks ago. In that contest, Kerrigan recorded four tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a fumble recovery. However, Wisconsin isn't without their own defensive star. Despite the recent poor performance overall by the team, defensive end O'Brien Schofield has continued to dominate opponents. Schofield is currently tied for the most tackles for a loss in the nation, with 16.5 and has picked up 6.5 sacks on the season. Both players will be key for their respective teams' defenses on Saturday.
Jekyll and Hyde
The Purdue football team began the season with a resounding 52-31 victory over Toledo. The Boilermakers then proceeded to lose five games in a row, falling to Oregon, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Minnesota. Despite a dismal 1-5 record though, Purdue welcomed No. 7 Ohio State into West Lafayette in week seven and sent them home with a loss. The Boilermaker's sudden wave of confidence then translated over to the next week, as the team defeated Illinois 24-14. Now, Purdue looks to march into Madison, searching for their third straight Big Ten win, a feat the team hasn't accomplished since 2006. So which Purdue will show up against Wisconsin? Will the Badgers see the Boilermakers, who lost five straight this season, or the team that upset a top-ten opponent?
Trick or treat
After making one of two field goal attempts against Iowa, kicker Philip Welch's season field goal percentage fell to just 57 percent, or 8/14. Welch began the season on a down note, missing both field goal attempts in the Badger's opener against Northern Illinois. The sophomore redeemed himself though, launching a 57 yarder the next week against Fresno State. However impressive that mammoth kick was though, many of his misses have been equally unbelievable. In the past two games, Welch has missed field goals from 33 and 38 yards. It's become a crapshoot every time Welch steps up to attempt a kick. The Badgers have to know that they can rely on their kicker, especially in a late game situation. Welch has certainly proven to be a legitimate kicker with a strong foot. However, he must begin to make the easy kicks too.
Scary good
According to the NCAA, Wisconsin has, thus far, played the 11th toughest schedule in the nation, and second toughest in the Big Ten. The two teams that Wisconsin has lost to, Ohio State and Iowa, have a combined 14-2 record. Don't look for any player or coach to cower behind those statistics, though. The Badgers know that they are capable of beating any team, regardless of their record. Wisconsin certainly played with that sort of confidence in the first halves of their last two losses, only to fall flat in the third and fourth quarters. Coming off their bye week though, Wisconsin has put the past behind them as they focus on Purdue. The Badgers first played the Boilermakers in 1892, and have since compiled a 39-29-8 record in the series. Additionally, this will be the first match-up since 1996 in which neither team is ranked.
