The No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers will return to the field Saturday against the 5-1 and No. 10-ranked Indiana Hoosiers as they look to bounce back from their loss to Northwestern and improve to 3-1 on the season.
The Hoosier team they will face is nothing like the one we’ve grown used to seeing over the years, as they’re explosive on offense and are charged by a defense that intercepts 2.6 passes per game.
The Indiana team they face on Saturday, however, will also be different than what we’ve seen this year, with Hoosier star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out for the season after tearing his ACL.
Related: Opinion: A Big Ten rule is close to taking away the remaining credibility of the 2020 season
The game is a pivotal one for both teams, with the Badgers looking to enter Bowl Season with momentum and the Hoosiers preparing to possibly make a Big Ten Championship appearance (that if Ohio State misses one more game during the regular season).
Indiana head coach Tom Allen talked about the Wisconsin team he will take the field against on Saturday, noting the culture that Paul Chryst has has created.
“Paul Chryst has done a phenomenal job there. When you watch them play you see a model of consistency and a culture that they have created. They play the game with so much discipline. They have so much size and play with such a high level of execution. They are really impressive. We have not played them for a couple of years, but the last time we did was in 2017. That was an impressive team they brought to Bloomington. I left even more impressed after playing them. We know that we have a fight on our hands up there in Madison. We have to have a great week of preparation to play our best football.”
He continued to say that his team’s focus is Saturday’s contest, and the possibility of a Big Ten Championship appearance is not a concern at this moment.
“There is one focus: beat Wisconsin,” Allen said. “That is really the approach. This is the biggest game on our schedule because it is the next one. That is how we talk to our guys. I understand there is a lot of things going on, but it is earmuffs and blinders.”
The Indiana head coach’s final comments during his Monday press conference were on the Badger offense, Graham Mertz and how hard it is to prepare for a team that has only played three games thus far.
“We have played six [games] and they have played three, so we are watching film off of that,” Allen said. “They have a new quarterback that we have not faced and has only played limited snaps so far this season because of their shortened schedule. He is a very talented player. You saw that in week one against Illinois. He made some tremendous throws and is very poised. He is a big, athletic guy that can make all the throws.”
He then went on to describe what a Wisconsin offense brings when there is talent at the quarterback position.
“He gives them a pretty impressive player at the quarterback spot. When you match that up with their talented offensive line, a whole bunch of running backs and they keep coming at you. They have really talented tight ends and wide receivers that make plays. I think the quarterback is a great fit for what they do and is a very talented football player. They create challenges for you because of the size of their offensive line and the way they run the football. That sets up everything else that they do. They do a really good job schematically of really stressing the defense. They personnel you and formation you and they have a really good coaching staff. We have a ton of respect for the football team we are about to play.”
Wisconsin and Indiana will take the field at 2:30 CST on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium as Tom Allen and his team looks to break the Badgers’ 10-game win streak against their program.
Game Preview:
- Five keys to a Wisconsin victory over Indiana on Saturday
- Report: Michigan vs. Ohio State is in serious jeopardy, which if true could create a Buckeye–Badger postseason contest
- Team preview: Indiana Hoosiers
- REPORT: QB Jack Coan is back at practice and cleared to play
- Wisconsin is heavily favored against Indiana according to BetMGM
