Nebraska faces Wisconsin Saturday night for the Big Ten Conference Championship. The Huskers are 10-2 while the Badgers are 7-5 for the contest that is set for a 7:17 p.m. kickoff that will be nationally televised on Fox.
The two teams played on September 29 when Nebraska overcame a 17-point third quarter deficit to defeat the Badgers by a 30-27 count.
I covered most of the key players in the earlier preview, but there are a few I will highlight in this matchup. The Badgers have a new quarterback in Curt Phillips (6-foot-3, 214 Pounds, Senior). He has been beset by injuries in his career but won the starting job after Joel Stave had his season ended several weeks ago by injury. Phillips completes 52.6 percent (30 of 57) of his passes with four touchdowns and one interception. He is the best runner of the three quarterbacks the Badgers have played in 2012. Phillips has to be a game manager that does not make mistakes for Wisconsin to be in the game.
The Badgers have an outstanding running game. Montee Ball (5-11, 215, Sr.) has 1528 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. James White (5-10, 197, Jr.) is a solid fill in and Melvin Gordon (6-1, 206 Fr.) also has the ability to pop a big run. Wisconsin has the best backs the Huskers have seen all season. If the Husker defense shuts down the run as they did in the second half of the first contest, they can dominate the game. Look for White and Gordon on kickoff returns as well.
Two receivers have had great seasons for Wisconsin. Jared Abbrederis, (6-2, 188, Jr.) is a threat on deep play-action passes. He can lull defenders to sleep and get behind them with his great pass routes. Ciante Evans likely will draw the first assignment and get help with double coverage. Abbrederis leads the team with 44 catches for 764 yards and five touchdowns. He is also the best punt returner for Wisconsin. Tight end Jacob Pedersen (6-4, 237, Jr.) is a favorite target from his tight end spot. He has 25 receptions and four touchdowns on the season.
The offensive line is a group of behemoths, averaging over 6-5 and 325 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. The group is outstanding in run blocking with left tackle Rick Wagner (6-6, 317, Sr.) leading the way. The Huskers are smaller on the defensive front but have a major speed advantage that will make a difference in the second half.
Wisconsin on defense has a great pair of linebackers. In the middle, Chris Borland (5-11, 242 Jr.) is easy to find, he will be nearest the football most of the time. He is a great leader that makes few mistakes. Mike Taylor (6-2, 224, Sr.) is also outstanding on the weakside of the defense. Wisconsin gives up some points and yards, especially in the passing game. Defensive end David Gilbert ( 6-4, 250, Jr.) is the best pass rusher. The defense really wore out in the second half of the first matchup and may do so again.
Nebraska has a major edge kicking and punting the football. Wisconsin kicker Kyle French (6-1, 193, So.) is 10 of 15 (66.7 percent) on field goals with a long of 46 yards .Punter Drew Meyer (6-2, 179, Fr.) averages 41 yards per punt.
The Huskers are ready to play after being tested all season. If they can overcome the late injuries to Baker Steinkuhler and Jason Jackson they will win this game and bring home the Big Ten Championship. Nebraska looks and sounds confident, while the Badgers have struggled again the top teams in the conference all season. Behind great play from Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead I look for Nebraska to defeat the Badgers by a score of 31-21. Thanks for reading Going deep With Doze.
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