Wisconsin Offense vs. Indiana Defense
Wisconsin's offense goes as the running game goes. Last week sophomore running back P. J. Hill had an outstanding game against a struggling Northern Illinois team, including a career long 72-yard run. He and sophomore running back Lance Smith hopefully gained a lot of confidence after romping the Huskies because it will not be as easy this week. If the running game gets going, then Tyler Donovan needs to take better advantage of what opens up for him, only passing for 91 yards and throwing 11 of 19 completions last game. Still, as long as it's not another debacle like at Penn State, the offense should be able to handle IU.
The Hoosier's defense has not been great this season, averaging 26 points allowed over their season, and they have one of the worst rushing defenses in the Big Ten. Hill and Smith should be able to take full advantage and dominate the Hoosiers.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Wisconsin Defense vs. Indiana Offense
Wisconsin only allowed three points last week, easily their best defensive performance this year. Northern Illinois had their first third down conversion late into the second half and UW kept NIU at -13 yards rushing overall. Even though it was against a weaker team, Wisconsin's defense probably needed that boost after being ripped apart by Penn State the previous week.
Indiana's sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis is having a great season, probably due to junior James Hardy, one of the best receivers in the nation on his team. Besides the games against Penn State and Michigan State, Lewis has thrown one interception in every game this season. If Lewis can have a repeat of what he did last week against Penn State, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions, then Indiana's offense will be very difficult to stop.
Advantage: Indiana
Special Teams
Wisconsin senior punter Ken DeBauche must have a completely rested leg, only having to punt the ball once to the Huskies as opposed to the six times against Penn State. Ranking fourth in the Big Ten for his punt distances, he should be able to keep the Hoosiers at bay over the course of the game. Also, Taylor Mehlhaff should be able to bring in his steady stream of field goals to the Badgers in the consistent fashion he has done all year.
The Hoosiers are going to need senior Tracy Porter to get back into bringing punts back for long yardage if they hope to counter-act DeBauche. Last week against Penn State, Porter only averaged a half yard on two punt returns. Indiana has a sharpshooter of a kicker in Austin Starr, only missing once this season. Indiana should narrowly have the better special teams, especially if Porter regains his dominance.
Advantage: Indiana
Coaching
Having Wisconsin receive after winning the coin flip showed that Bret Bielema has complete confidence in his team. After suffering his worst defeat against Penn State, Bielema proved to his fans last weekend that his team can still play in a dominant fashion. Against a great Indiana team he will be aiming to show the fans in cardinal red why he is their head coach.
Bill Lynch, head coach of the Hoosiers, is having a tremendous beginning to his career at Indiana. His team is 5-3 and he already has beaten a perennial top Big Ten team at their home stadium, Iowa. But coming into Camp Randall for the first time against a strong Wisconsin team will be one of the most challenging games he has ever coached.
Advantage: Wisconsin
