Last Updated on November 3, 2010 3:23 am by Anthony Rome
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Preview
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – The Big Ten race became even more complicated during Wisconsin’s bye week, but the seventh-ranked Badgers are happy to see their name still among the contenders.
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Wisconsin resumes play this Saturday when it visits to struggling Purdue, which could be forced to start its third-string quarterback.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made Wisconsin –20 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against Purdue. Current NCAA Public Betting Information shows that 89% of more than 1,781 bets for this game have been placed on Wisconsin -20.
After defeating top-15 opponents in consecutive games for the first time since 1954, the Badgers (7-1, 4-1) became part of a one-loss logjam atop the Big Ten after Iowa defeated previously unbeaten Michigan State and Ohio State routed Minnesota. Four teams have one loss, with the Buckeyes and Spartans one-half game ahead of the Hawkeyes and Badgers.
“In coaching there’s always the cliche that you win championships in November,” coach Bret Bielema said. “Obviously, somebody’s going to win one. Or multiple teams will win one. It’s all about how they handle their weekly business. Our guys are in the position they’re in because they realize nothing is more important than today.”
The Badgers also have a favorable schedule among the four contenders – all four of their remaining games are against opponents with a .500 record or worse.
However Wisconsin knows it can’t look too far ahead. The Badgers’ No. 7 ranking is their highest since being No. 5 in 2007. That year, they lost their next two games and dropped out of the top 25.
“If we don’t take care of our business this week, it’s all for naught,” Bielema said. “I think this group probably gets that better than years past, that the reason they’re in the position they’re in is that they’ve taken it one week at a time.”
Bielema’s team returns to play for the first time since beating Iowa 31-30 on Oct. 23. The Badgers rushed for 142 yards, including 91 by John Clay, who also ran in two touchdowns. Montee Ball had an 8-yard TD run that put Wisconsin ahead in the final minute to cap a drive that was kept alive after the Badgers faked a punt on 4th down at their own 26-yard line.
“The key to victory on the road is how you respond to that adversity and guys stepped up across the board and made plays,” said Scott Tolzien, who was 20 of 26 passing for 205 yards.
Led by a dominating offensive line that is creating big holes for the team’s running game, Wisconsin leads the conference with 27 rushing touchdowns and is second with 221.4 rushing yards per game. The Badgers average 35.6 points.
While Wisconsin has several offensive weapons, injuries have made it tough for Purdue (4-4, 2-2).
After winning their first two conference games, the Boilermakers have been outscored 93-10 in losing to against Ohio State and Illinois. They have totaled 323 yards of offense combined in the losses.
Rob Henry, who took over at quarterback after a season-ending knee injury by Robert Marve, missed most of a 44-10 loss to the Illini with a cut index finger on his throwing hand. He and Sean Robinson split time at quarterback last weekend, with Robinson handling all the passing duties before pain forced Henry out of the game in its entirety. Robinson went 7 of 20 for 52 yards, and it’s uncertain who will start this week.
“We didn’t know until gametime,” coach Danny Hope said of last week’s situation. “We were hoping Rob would be able to go and we were optimistic … He tried, but bottom line, his injury was too significant.”
Henry’s injury is the latest to hit a Purdue team also without tailback Ralph Bolden (knee) and receiver Keith Smith (knee). O.J. Ross, who is second on the team in receiving, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last week.
Wisconsin has won four straight over Purdue, outscoring the Boilermakers 61-3 in the last two meetings. Clay rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s 37-0 victory.
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