Prove top 10 ranking
The Badgers are 3-0 this year prior to Big Ten play. This hasn't impressed the voters in the AP poll, where Wisconsin has dropped in rank from No. 5 after the Washington State game to No. 9 after last week's game.
College ranking systems favor blowout wins instead of close-game wins. The Badgers must not only beat the Hawkeyes to stay in the top 10, but also win convincingly. They will look to prove they deserved the top-five ranking they had after dominant play on both sides of the ball in week one.
Don't look for Bielema to tighten the reigns if the Badgers mount an early lead. The Badgers want to grab the attention of the rest of the Big Ten and show the whole country they are the team to beat.
Start Big Ten season with a bang
Last season the Badgers learned what one loss can do to BCS Championship hopes. Their one loss to Michigan proved to be the difference between them and the Buckeyes in the hunt for the National Championship.
The Big Ten season is starting, and Bret Bielema will have to have the Badgers ready to play every game. Iowa was upset last week by instate rival Iowa State when the Hawkeyes surrendered five field goals in the 15-13 loss. They will look to bounce back with a win of their own against the Badgers.
The Badger defense had a tough time keeping the Citadel offense out of the end zone in the first half, allowing 21 points. Iowa is looking to keep the game close as long as possible to try to pull out a win. It'll be important for the Badgers to start fast and destroy any hope the Hawkeyes may have of winning the game.
Mano a mano
P.J. Hill and Company ran through the Citadel Bulldog defense last weekend, but may find a lot less running room against a stout Iowa defense.
The Hawkeyes have allowed only 62.7 yards per game (eighth nationally) and a mere 2.1 yards a carry in their first three games. The strength of the Iowa defense is its defensive line, led by senior ends Ken Iwebema and Bryan Mattison, who have combined for five sacks and seven tackles for loss already this season.
On the other hand, the Badgers' strength on offense has been pounding the ball primarily with Hill and Lance Smith. Through the first three games, the Badgers have run for an average of 215 yards. Hill had his best performance of the year last week against The Citadel when he ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries. The Badgers' running game is the engine that moves their offense. If Hill can build on his strong performance last week, the Badgers will most likely prevail. If Iowa wins the ground battle, the pressure will lie on the arm of quarterback Tyler Donovan and the Badger defense.
Confident Donovan
Although Iowa has only given up an average of six points per game this season, which makes it the third-best scoring defense in the country, quarterback Tyler Donovan should head into the game with a lot of confidence. Donovan already tallied a win against the Hawkeyes last season when he started in place of injured John Stocco. Donovan threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Badgers to a 24-21 win in Iowa City. Donovan's performance has also been exceptional in the first three games this season, in which he has thrown six touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Donovan threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns last week versus the Citadel and has proven to be a good game manager. Look for Donovan to look downfield early in the game to spread out the strong Iowa defense. A strong performance by Donovan and the passing game will open up holes for Hill and the running game.
Claim the Heartland
The Badgers and Hawkeyes will not only be fighting for a Big Ten win, but also the right to take home the Heartland Trophy. The trophy was introduced in 2004 as the Big Ten's 16th traveling trophy. Iowa has taken it home two out of the three years.
However, the Badgers want to keep the trophy right where it is. The trophy has been residing in Madison since last year's game when the Badgers beat the Hawkeyes 24-21 in Iowa City. The trophy features a bull statue and the scores of every game inscribed in its base.
Historically, the Wisconsin-Iowa matchup has always been very competitive, as the all-time series is tied 40-40-2 after playing 82 games. The Badgers will look to break the tie and start the Big Ten schedule off with a win.
