After a much needed bye week, the Wisconsin football team (3-2 Big Ten, 6-3 overall) now turns its attention to the rival Minnesota Gophers (4-2, 8-2). While the Badgers remain unranked following the debacle in Evanston two weeks ago, the Gophers will enter Saturday's match up ranked No. 18 in the Coaches' Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll.
However, more than rankings will be up for grabs at the Metrodome Saturday. The schools will be meeting for the 112th time, with UW attempting to keep Paul Bunyan's Axe in Madison for another year.
Sorgi hopes to return
Saturday should see a return to action for Badger senior quarterback Jim Sorgi, who missed the Northwestern game due to arthroscopic knee surgery on his torn left meniscus. The bye week came at a perfect time for Sorgi, as it allowed him an extra week of rest. The break not only allowed Sorgi to heal physically, but it also gave him an opportunity to reassess his role in the UW football program.
\I think you're going to see a different player in me,"" Sorgi said. ""You know, maybe I was taking being the starting quarterback a little bit for granted. I mean, going out there and playing to the best of my ability, but not going out there with that fire and that emotion.""
In his first year as a starting quarterback, Sorgi has experienced many ups and downs and his play has been short of consistent. Though he had significant playing time in prior seasons, it is apparent Sorgi is just now coming to terms with what it takes to be a successful signal-caller in the Big Ten.
""No matter what happens this weekend, good or bad, you're going to see a different kind of ball player out there,"" said Sorgi. ""I'm gonna have fun. I'm gonna go out there and play football and just have fun. I mean, I've only got four more games with the red and white on, so I might as well.""
Gophers boost high-powered running attack
While the Badgers offense has failed to produce on several occasions this season, the same cannot be said for the offense of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Behind the three-pronged rushing attack of sophomore Marion Barber III, freshman Laurence Maroney and senior Thomas Tapeh, the Gophers have averaged more than 40 points a game this season.
If this type of attack is considered running back by committee, then Barber is the chairman of the board. Even though he has split time with the other backs, Barber has already rushed for a staggering 995 yards and 16 touchdowns.
All three could cause trouble for UW, something which Head Coach Barry Alvarez is well aware.
""[Their running backs] are all very good,"" Alvarez said. ""They all have their strengths. Barber is really a slasher and can hit a home run. Tapeh is really physical and can play at the full back spot. Maroney's very physical, I mean for a true freshman he is extremely physical. A down-hill runner. They all have their own style but they're all very effective.""
Another danger in the Minnesota offense is senior quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq. The Gopher quarterback has established himself as a double-threat, throwing for 1,775 yards and rushing for nearly 300 more this season. The nation's leader in pass efficiency, Abdul-Khaliq has a QB rating of 176.25 and has thrown 17 touchdown passes.
""He's hard to corral..."" Alvarez said. ""He can hurt you on the option. He's a guy that can pull it down and win with his feet, as well as throwing. He's an excellent quarterback ... the type that defensive coordinators really don't like to play against.""
A domed experience
As if the potent offensive of the Gophers is not enough of a challenge, the Badgers will also have to cope with the foreign atmosphere that is the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Because very few collegiate teams play in domes, it is hard for players to adjust to the climate and noise of an indoor stadium.
Alvarez recounted his first trip to Minnesota, when several players became sick because of the dehydrating nature of the Metrodome. The coach also mentioned that the team could be practicing with simulated noise to get used to the intense sound within the dome. The turf of the dome could be especially menacing to Sorgi on his recently repaired knee.
""I've thought about it ... playing on a turf that's probably not ideal for my knee, but ... if I go out there and just play, that, you know, chances are I'm not gonna get hurt,"" Sorgi said.
