MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Just in case Iowa needed any additional motivation as it attempts to bounce back from its first loss of the season, the oddsmakers provided the Hawkeyes one more incentive.
The
That line underscores how much impressions of the two teams have changed over the last couple of weeks, thanks largely to Purdue.
This will mark Iowa’s first game since that lopsided loss to the Boilermakers.
“For now, it’s not (about) looking back at the past, but what we can still accomplish,” Iowa fullback Monte Pottebaum said. “Focusing on the future.”
and still has a shot at a playoff berth if it doesn’t lose again and wins the Big Ten championship game. But the Badgers also remain in control of their destiny in the West race now that they’ve’ won three straight games.
That adds to the stakes of this annual rivalry matchup between two teams that rely on playing quality defense and bruising their opponents.
“A lot of people view us as kind of similar programs in a way because we both pride ourselves in the same sort of style, the same sort of mentality,” Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn said. “Both programs understand that and both take pride in that. You want to be the best at what you do. There’s a lot of history. There’s a lot of pride.
“It’s a physical football game. That’s one area both teams pride themselves on. Who’s going to be the more physical team come Saturday?”
TURNOVER FACTOR
The biggest difference between these two teams is that Iowa thrives on takeaways while Wisconsin has been prone to giveaways.
Marshall is the only FBS team
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz has been picked off seven times this season and must be careful while facing an Iowa defense with an FBS-leading 16 interceptions.
“It’s a veteran group,” Mertz said. “They’re great with communication, playing together, playing off each other, and showing something pre-snap and rotating out of it post-snap.”
SLOWING THE RUN
This game features two of the nation’s top run defenses. Wisconsin is
DYNAMIC DUO
each rushed for at least 140 yards against Purdue.
“They run it for two, run it for three, then all of a sudden there goes that one, somebody doesn’t fit where they’re supposed to fit (and) these backs both find it really well,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.
MISSING MOSS
Iowa won’t have cornerback Riley Moss for a second straight game. Moss,
“He’s gaining ground,” Ferentz said. “We’re optimistic. Hopefully next week, but there’s no guarantees.”
Iowa still has Matt Hankins, who has picked off three passes.
SURGING CHENAL
has been about as productive as any defensive player in the nation lately. Chenal has 26 tackles – 8 for loss – and 4 ½ sacks over his last two games.
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AP freelance writer John Bohnenkamp contributed to this report.
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