If the Badgers topple the No. 20 Indiana Hoosiers Friday night in Bloomington, Ind., it would not be an upset of David and Goliath proportions. But it might be close.
A victory would give Wisconsin its first regular season Big Ten title since 1995, the year the Badgers (3-1-1 Big Ten, 9-6-2 overall) also won the national championship.
The Hoosiers (3-1-1, 11-4-2) are looking to snatch their 12th conference crown in the last 13 years.
Wisconsin has never won a regular season game on IU's home turf, and the Hoosiers hold an all-time record of 72-7-7 in regular season conference games.
Yet, according to Badger head coach Jeff Rohrman, historical records do not matter once the first ball is kicked.
""It's two teams of high quality competing, and anything can happen,"" Rohrman said. ""As long as we're out there putting the effort in and the focus and the concentration and playing the way I know we can, it should be a great game.""
Rohrman noted that the Badgers and Hoosiers were tied 2-2 at halftime of last year's contest.
""Our guys should be confident because I know we've played them tough the last couple of years,"" he said. ""We shouldn't expect anything less this Friday.""
Freshman forward Darren Yeagle and sophomore midfielder Brian Ackley anchor the Hoosiers' offensive attack with 14 and 13 points respectively.
Entering the week, Indiana led the conference with 1.50 goals per game.
""I think that if you give them too much space, they're a good enough team where they can do a lot of damage,"" said UW goalkeeper Jake Settle. ""You've got to pressure them quickly and early and make sure that they really don't get a chance to beat you.""
Despite giving up three goals against UW-Green Bay, the Badgers have allowed the fewest goals per game of any team in the Big Ten.
Although UW has lost back-to-back games for the first time since early September, senior defender Andrew Cardona said the Badgers do not need to make any big corrections against the Hoosiers.
""I think it's just the little mistakes we've been doing,"" Cardona said. ""We just haven't gotten the results the past two games.""
Putting the losses behind him, Coach Rohrman focused on the accomplishments of his senior class.
""When all those guys came in as freshman that was one of their goals ... to get to the NCAA tournament and win a Big Ten championship,"" he said. ""It's a credit to how they've persevered these last couple of years, and I know that they're very excited, very happy about the opportunity they have in front of them.""
Settle echoed Rohrman's statements.
""I am so pumped about this, you know, Big Ten championship on the line,"" Settle said. ""This is one of those things you dream about, and we're all really excited to go out and put on a show.""
While partiers will pack State Street Friday night in Madison, the Badgers and Hoosiers will battle for a championship on the field in Bloomington.
