Wisconsin @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Purdue 17, Wisconsin 62

Wisconsin visits Purdue on Saturday in a contest that has serious significance in the race to the Rose Bowl. While the current frontrunners of the Leaders division are Penn State and Ohio State, postseason bans on both programs leave the Badgers and Boilermakers as strong candidates to win a berth to the Big Ten title game. Purdue enters the contest fresh off a drubbing at the hands of Michigan in a game that exposed its rush defense, which will be tested mightily by superstar tailback Montee Ball, who is on the verge of history as he nears Ron Dayne’s school and conference scoring records. For Purdue to challenge Wisconsin, quarterback Caleb TerBush will need to regain the elite form he displayed in strong showings against Marshall and Eastern Michigan this season. After downing Illinois last week, the Badgers will look to get Ball and one of the country’s top wide receivers - Jared Abbrederis - the ball in positions to challenge Purdue's defense.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Purdue -2.5

ABOUT PURDUE (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten Leaders): The Boilermakers have the requisite defensive talent to slow a talented Badgers' offense, with standout defensive lineman Kawann Short seeking to slow the running game and shutdown corner Ricardo Allen taking on Abbrederis. On offense, Purdue has proven deep at wide receiver, led by Akeem Shavers. The spread offense led by TerBush will seek to test the Badgers’ defense in space early and often. With the No. 32 offense in the nation at nearly 37 points per game, the Boilermakers are seeking to stretch the Badgers’ No. 29 defense (19.2 points).

ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-2, 1-1): Ball needs two touchdowns to tie Dayne for the most rushing scores with 71 trips to the end zone. Expect Ball to be featured throughout the game versus a Purdue defense that was just gashed by Denard Robinson and the Michigan running attack. The Badgers will seek to establish ball control and fellow talented tailback James White on the ground in order to allow redshirt freshman quarterback Joel Stave to work against honest fronts and avoid the talented Purdue pass rush.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The total has gone under in five of Wisconsin's last six games versus Purdue.

2. Purdue is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games against Wisconsin at home.

3. Wisconsin has won six straight games versus Purdue.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 31, Purdue 28