GT: Huskers at Bucky - 6:30 - BTN

[MickeyDavis]

Yeah Nebraska is really bad but you can't take anything for granted. Looks like a cloudy, but dry night in Madison.

From the JS

TEAMS: Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-4, 0-2).

WHERE: Camp Randall Stadium.

TIME: 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: BTN with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), J Lehman (analysis) and Rick Pizzo (sideline).

RADIO: WRIT FM-95.7 in Milwaukee and a state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play) and Mike Lucas (analysis).

TICKETS: Sold out.

LINE: Wisconsin by 17 1/2.

SERIES: UW leads, 8-4, including a 6-1 mark since Nebraska joined the Big Ten.

COACHES: Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst (37-8, third season; 56-27 overall) vs. Nebraska’s Scott Frost (0-4, first season; 19-11, third season overall).


Four things to watch

WILL THE SECONDARY HOLD UP?

Nebraska wide receivers JD Spielman (23 catches, 252 yards and four TDs) and Stanley Morgan (17-269-1) have made big plays all season, thanks in large part to the skills of freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Caesar Williams (leg) and redshirt freshman cornerback Faion Hicks (thumb) aren’t healthy and it isn’t clear if both will be able to play Saturday night. That could meant a greater workload for redshirt freshman Deron Harrell and sophomore Madison Cone. Hicks has started all four games this season; Williams started the first three before the staff went with Harrell in the Big Ten opener at Iowa; and Cone has been the nickel cornerback.

“You have to work them at a lot of different places,” defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “That is the hardest part right now, knowing that you’re an injury away from maybe two or three people switching roles.
“It is trying to give them a role they can manage. … If you start having to make adjustments, you still have to keep it in a role where they can have success. It can’t be too big for them. That is the trick right now with the youth that we have and the depth that we have.”

DRIVE THE BALL AND SCORE:

UW managed only three touchdowns on 10 possessions in the loss to BYU. The numbers improved slightly at Iowa as UW scored four touchdowns on 11 possessions. That included touchdowns on the last two possessions, a 17-yard pass from Alex Hornibrook to A.J. Taylor and a 33-yard run by fullback Alec Ingold. Nebraska has allowed a combined 98 points in its two Big Ten losses, 56 at Michigan and 42 to visiting Purdue. UW should be able to move the ball on the Cornhuskers, particularly on the ground. The Badgers should win the battle for time of possession but they must finish drives with touchdowns, not field goals or missed chances.

A FAST START WOULDN’T HURT:

Nebraska has struggled early in games this season. Opponents have outscored the Cornhuskers, 47-14, in the opening quarter and 46-21 in the second quarter. UW, curiously, hasn’t been efficient early. The Badgers have outscored their opponents by just 17-14 in the opening quarter. The second quarter numbers – 38-14 – are better but UW needs to establish control early.

ELUSIVE MOMENTUM?

The off week after the victory over Iowa came at a good time in that it allowed several players battling through injuries time to heal. That includes outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (ankle), who was injured early against BYU and played only a handful of snaps at Iowa. Yet several players mentioned during the week that the time off after the victory at Iowa felt like an eternity. Will UW be able to build off that victory or will the layoff hurt?
“You always like to carry momentum,” senior inside linebacker Ryan Connelly said. “It’s unfortunate we had the bye because it seems like forever ago that we played Iowa. But we’re just trying to carry that over into this week.”

History lesson

Nebraska has played 61 Big Ten games since joining the league before the 2011 season. That includes 60 regular-season games and the 2012 Big 12 title game.
The Cornhuskers are 34-27 in those games and have allowed at least 40 points in 15 of the games.
Their record in those games is 0-15.
UW handed the Cornhuskers a 70-31 loss in the 2012 Big Ten title game and a 59-24 loss in 2014 in Madison.

Did you know?

UW quarterback Alex Hornibrook has been at his best in the final quarter of games this season.
Through the first three quarters of games, Hornibrook has completed 42 of 67 passes (62.7%) for 554 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

In the final quarter this season, Hornibrook has completed 18 of 23 attempts (78.3%) for 246 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Jeff Potrykus’ prediction

Despite having a week off, UW enters its game against Nebraska with several key defenders battling injuries. That includes linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerbacks Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams. Nebraska has the offensive firepower, led by quarterback Adrian Martinez, to exploit UW’s weak areas. Nevertheless, UW’s offense and special teams should be good enough to help the Badgers avoid a second consecutive home loss. UW will stay on the winning track, 35-21.

[trwi7]

I don't think we're 17.5 points better than anyone right now. Offense looks off. Defense gives up big plays and Nebraska actually has some offensive weapons. Honestly wouldn't be shocked if we lose this.

[trwi7]

Matt Millen > J Leman

There, I said it.

[dogswithbeesintheirmouths]

Matt Millen > J Leman

There, I said it.

I agree with this, but it's mainly because Millen sometimes gets confused and actually shuts up for a second.

[ACGB]

Hornibrook is still bad.

[dogswithbeesintheirmouths]

I think most of the O-linemen would be better scramblers than Horni.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

3 and 8 from the 35. Why not run on third and make it four down territory.

[StickeeFingaz]

Having trouble even enjoying games anymore with Hornibrook. Reminds me of watching Packers games last year with Hundley.


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[MAC1987]

I think Groshek deserves the ball more. If I remember correctly he didnt touch the ball much against BYU.

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[humanrefutation]

Hornibrook missing another open receiver.

[BUCKnation]

absolutely dominating this game, but need to come away with a td here

[dogswithbeesintheirmouths]

That TD by Deal might have been the best run of his career. He seems to be running a lot harder this year in general.

[vegaspacker]

Hmm, I forgot that Frost was with the Packers for two seasons. He had no stats, was he inactive or IR?

[BUCKnation]

Apparently covering spielman is optional

[BUCKnation]

I hate targeting so much

[MikeIsGood]

It sucks, but that was pretty obvious/legit targeting and football is going to have to police that if it wants to have a future.

[BUCKnation]

the speed taylor showed on that play was ridiculous

[humanrefutation]

What a run by Taylor.

[MikeIsGood]

JT is good at football.

[humanrefutation]

I was wondering for a second how the hell Taylor Martinez was still playing until I discovered it was an another unrelated Martinez.