Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Wisconsin Badgers
Record: 5-2
Remaining schedule: open, vs. Purdue, at Indiana, vs. Michigan, at Northwestern, open, at Hawaii
An open date probably arrives at a good time for Wisconsin, which needs to get back to the things it did in the first five weeks. Quarterback Scott Tolzien must recapture the efficiency he displayed in September and avoid mistakes after tossing five of his eight interceptions in the last two games (both losses). Wisconsin remains an offense built around the run game, play-action passes and no major mistakes, so Tolzien needs to rebound against Purdue. The offensive line has been banged up for much of the year but should improve down the stretch. Defensively, Wisconsin needs more of the same from standout end O'Brien Schofield, who has become much more than a name on a scouting report. Dave Doeren's unit is certainly much more aggressive this fall, and players are constantly in the opposing backfield. Linebacker Mike Taylor is a big loss, and Wisconsin needs freshman sensation Chris Borland to continue his impressive play. Despite back-to-back losses, the schedule still sets up favorably for a run to a January bowl game.
Best-case scenario: Tolzien comes back strong after the bye week and turns in an interception-free performance against Purdue. Running back John Clay stays healthy and punishes defenses, while tight end Garrett Graham and wide receiver Nick Toon sizzle in the play-action passing attack. Wisconsin sweeps its final five games and reaches the Capital One Bowl or the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The 5-0 start turns out to be a farce and the mistakes we saw against both Ohio State and Iowa continue down the stretch. Tolzien keeps throwing picks and gets pulled in favor of Curt Phillips. Clay can't stay healthy and neither can the offensive line. The defense gets overaggressive at times and has breakdowns in the secondary. Wisconsin fails to capitalize on the soft slate, winning only one or two more games to reach a minor bowl.
Prediction: Alamo Bowl. Wisconsin finishes 9-3 or 8-4.
Wisconsin Badgers
Record: 5-2
Remaining schedule: open, vs. Purdue, at Indiana, vs. Michigan, at Northwestern, open, at Hawaii
An open date probably arrives at a good time for Wisconsin, which needs to get back to the things it did in the first five weeks. Quarterback Scott Tolzien must recapture the efficiency he displayed in September and avoid mistakes after tossing five of his eight interceptions in the last two games (both losses). Wisconsin remains an offense built around the run game, play-action passes and no major mistakes, so Tolzien needs to rebound against Purdue. The offensive line has been banged up for much of the year but should improve down the stretch. Defensively, Wisconsin needs more of the same from standout end O'Brien Schofield, who has become much more than a name on a scouting report. Dave Doeren's unit is certainly much more aggressive this fall, and players are constantly in the opposing backfield. Linebacker Mike Taylor is a big loss, and Wisconsin needs freshman sensation Chris Borland to continue his impressive play. Despite back-to-back losses, the schedule still sets up favorably for a run to a January bowl game.
Best-case scenario: Tolzien comes back strong after the bye week and turns in an interception-free performance against Purdue. Running back John Clay stays healthy and punishes defenses, while tight end Garrett Graham and wide receiver Nick Toon sizzle in the play-action passing attack. Wisconsin sweeps its final five games and reaches the Capital One Bowl or the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The 5-0 start turns out to be a farce and the mistakes we saw against both Ohio State and Iowa continue down the stretch. Tolzien keeps throwing picks and gets pulled in favor of Curt Phillips. Clay can't stay healthy and neither can the offensive line. The defense gets overaggressive at times and has breakdowns in the secondary. Wisconsin fails to capitalize on the soft slate, winning only one or two more games to reach a minor bowl.
Prediction: Alamo Bowl. Wisconsin finishes 9-3 or 8-4.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final 10 Ohio State 21 Michigan 10 Final Minnesota 0 13 Iowa 12 Final 16 Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 33 Final Purdue 38 Indiana 21 Final 14 Penn State 42 Michigan State 14
