INDIANAPOLIS-Friday's preview in the paper focused mostly on No. 15 Wisconsin's (6-2 Big Ten, 10-2 overall) defense and No. 11 Michigan State's (7-1, 10-2) offense. Here are a few notes about the opposite sides for each team.
UW redshirt junior center Peter Konz (ankle) will be a game-time decision. The Neenah, Wis. native suffered a dislocated ankle against Minnesota and has not played since. Konz said Wednesday he thought he could play through it, but did not want a setback.
"You kind of want to be the person who got everybody there and the person relied upon," he said. "You don't want to just insert yourself after it's all said and done. That's one of the big motivators."
Bielema said Friday afternoon he would lean towards starting redshirt sophomore Travis Frederick, who moved from guard to center during the Illinois game. Sophomore guard Ryan Groy.
• Wisconsin running back Montee Ball has just 272 rushing yards in the fourth quarter this year on 34 carries. That's 2.8 carries per fourth quarter.
• The Badgers lead the nation in third down conversion at 55.2 percent (79-143). Half of senior quarterback Russell Wilson's 28 touchdowns have come on third down and he has thrown just one interception in 68 attempts.
• UW averages 477.1 yards of offense per game and has topped 500 total yards four times this season. That leads the Big Ten and is the No. 12 mark in the country.
• Michigan State ranks No. 11 in the country in rushing defense at 102.5 yards allowed per game. That number leads the Big Ten.
• The Spartans also lead the Big Ten and boast the No. 3 mark in the country in total defense at just 266.7 yards allowed per game. MSU also leads the conference in interceptions with 18.
• While Wilson is on pace to break the national record for passing efficiency with a 192.9 mark so far (28 TD, 3 INT), MSU has held opposing passers to 104.9 (15 TD, 16 INT).
