When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska.
TV: BTN with Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analysis) and Brooke Fletcher (sideline).
Radio: FM-97.3 and AM-920 in Milwaukee and a state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analysis) and Patrick Herb (sideline).
Line: Nebraska by 1½ points.
Series: Wisconsin leads, 13-4. The Badgers own 4-3 advantage in Lincoln.
Coaches: Wisconsin Luke Fickell (13-12, second season; 76-36, ninth season) vs. Nebraska’s Matt Rhule) 10-12, second season; 57-55, ninth season.
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In case you missed it, Fickell parted ways with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Phil Longo this week. With three straight games under 300 total yards, the Badgers offense needed a jump start. Does this move provide it? Will the Badgers ground game return to form? Will Braedyn Locke protect the ball? Will on the road in the Big Ten is never easy and that will be the case again this week. Nebraska has the nation’s 27th-ranked defense and holds teams to an average of 291 yards and 11.8 points per game at home.
The Badgers lost two of their key players during the second half last week. Pauling hobbled off the field — and didn’t return. Wohler went down after making a tackle during Oregon’s game-winning field goal drive. It would be a significant loss if either player is unable to play.
Nebraska is in the bottom half of the Big Ten and the nation when it comes to protecting their quarterback. The Cornhuskers have allowed 23 sacks. Can the Badgers put some heat freshman Dylan Raiola, who averages 31 passes per game. UW recorded two sacks on Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel last week but kept enough pressure on him to keep him uncomfortable for much of the game. That work was key to the Badgers nearly scoring an upset.
These teams aren’t in a win-or-go home situation yet, but they are close. Getting to a lower level bowl game might not excite fans, but it’s a significant developmental piece for a program. Both teams need a victory and both teams have to feel this is the week to do it. What team wants that hanging over their head heading into final game of the season?
