Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) is set to face off against Iowa (5-3, 3-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the matchup will be broadcast on NBC. The current betting odds at BetMGM favor Iowa by 3.5 points. Historically, Wisconsin leads the series with a record of 49-46-2.
In this crucial November game, both teams aim to improve their standings for bowl eligibility. The successful team will achieve this goal, while the losing side will still have three more opportunities to secure a sixth victory. The Badgers recently had their three-game winning streak snapped following a loss to Penn State at home. In contrast, Iowa is coming off a home triumph against Northwestern but has not yet managed to win two consecutive games in the Big Ten this season.
The key battle to watch will be between Wisconsin’s run defense and Iowa’s rushing attack. This season, Wisconsin has struggled defensively against the run, giving up an average of 144 yards per game, which places them 14th in the Big Ten, along with allowing an average of 4.45 yards per carry, ranking 15th. Meanwhile, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson is excelling, leading the conference with 143 rushing yards per game and averaging an impressive 7.84 yards per carry. If Wisconsin can force Iowa to rely on its less effective passing game, they might have a favorable chance at success.
Notable players to keep an eye on include Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker, who enjoyed a strong performance with 418 rushing yards across three consecutive wins against Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern, prior to being held to just 59 yards on 22 carries against Penn State. On the other hand, Iowa will be counting on quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who is stepping in as a starter after Cade McNamara was sidelined due to a concussion in last week’s game. Sullivan made a positive impression during his time against Northwestern, completing 9 of 14 passes for 79 yards and adding 41 rushing yards and a touchdown against his former team.
A few interesting facts leading up to the game include the notable streak where neither team has been ranked during their past three encounters, marking the longest gap since three meetings between 1992 and 1996. In addition, Iowa’s Johnson has achieved the feat of scoring at least one touchdown in eight consecutive games, which is the longest streak seen in head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 26-year tenure. Furthermore, Wisconsin placekicker Haniel Vakos made headlines with a 50-yard field goal against Penn State, becoming the first player in the program’s history to successfully kick four field goals of over 50 yards in a career. Iowa also reached a milestone this season, scoring 40 points against two opponents, a feat last accomplished in 2020, and their three 40-point performances mark their best since 2017. The rivalry for the Heartland Trophy, which has been contested between the two teams since 2004, adds another layer of excitement for this matchup.