WISCONSIN OFFENSE VS. IOWA DEFENSE
Throughout the first three games of 2007, senior quarterback Tyler Donovan has been everything head coach Bret Bielema was looking for, throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. Senior Luke Swan has emerged as a go-to receiver with 17 receptions, and freshman Kyle Jefferson has shown potential while filling in for injured starter Paul Hubbard. However, the Hawkeyes' secondary has not allowed a touchdown pass this year through three games. That means coming off a team record-tying five-touchdown game, sophomore running back P.J. Hill will be relied upon to carry the load. Last week, Iowa State, a very mediocre team, ran up 137 yards on the Hawkeyes' wildly inconsistent defensive line. Look for Hill and company to have a field day as Iowa has not yet faced an offense as talented as Wisconsin's.
Advantage: Wisconsin
WISCONSIN DEFENSE VS. IOWA OFFENSE
Wisconsin's defense was one of the best in the nation last year but has struggled at times in both home games this season. The Badgers allowed 21 points or more only three times all of last season, yet this year they have allowed two teams to already surpass that total. Iowa's offense is still trying to gain an identity, as sophomore quarterback Jake Christensen was solid in a four-touchdown performance against Syracuse but has looked rattled at times in his other two games against Northern Illinois and Iowa State. He does, however, have some valuable weapons, including junior tight end Tony Moeaki, who leads the team with three touchdown receptions. On the ground, senior running back Albert Young has struggled in the early going this season and is now splitting carries with senior Damian Sims.
Advantage: Iowa
SPECIAL TEAMS
Wisconsin senior kicker Tyler Mehlhaff has been perfect this year on 12 extra point and three field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder against UNLV. Senior punter Ken DeBauche excelled last week in forcing The Citadel to start several drives from inside its own 20-yard line. In the return game for Wisconsin, freshman David Gilreath has shown the potential to break off some long returns.
On the Iowa sideline, sophomore Austin Signor, in his first year as full-time kicker, has converted on only three of five field goal attempts. Redshirt freshman punter Ryan Donahue has shown off his impressive leg with several punts over 50 yards. In addition to serving as a wide receiver threat, Andy Brodell is very dangerous in the return department with a 14.8 yard average per return.
Advantage: Wisconsin
COACHING
After replacing Barry Alvarez at the start of last season, Bret Bielema pulled all the right strings with his team and has carried that success over to this year. He made a smart decision naming senior quarterback Tyler Donovan his starter this season, and his confidence in various freshmen to play large roles has paid dividends.
Iowa's Kirk Ferentz has long been regarded as one of the best coaches in college football. But lately Ferentz has been under increasing scrutiny, failing to take the Hawkeyes to the next level as a legitimate title contender. After an extremely disappointing 2006 in which the Hawkeyes went 2-6 in the Big Ten, the pressure is on Ferentz to get the program back on track in 2007.
Advantage: Wisconsin
