THE OPPONENT The Badgers are 4-0, and the last three times they opened the season with four victories, they won nine, 10 and nine games, respectively (2004, 2005, 2007).
GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. BADGERS DEFENSE The Gophers took a big step in the running game at Northwestern, and that has to continue. Wisconsin, like the Gophers, has struggled stopping the run. Gophers QB Adam Weber is improving each week. Gophers offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch appears to be finding a groove in his play-calling. If the Gophers limit turnovers, they will score points. Eric Decker should have another big day. Advantage: Gophers
BADGERS OFFENSE VS. GOPHERS DEFENSE Nothing new with the Badgers' approach: Use the run to set up the play-action passing game. The difference? QB Scott Tolzien has been amazingly efficient in the system. It helps that the Badgers are second in the Big Ten in rushing. Wisconsin is tops in the Big Ten-- just ahead of the Gophers -- in red-zone offense, having scored touchdowns in 14 of 16 trips inside the opponent's 20. Advantage: Badgers
SPECIAL TEAMS Both teams have big-play threats on kickoff returns in the Gophers' Troy Stoudermire and Wisconsin's David Gilreath, who are third and fourth in the conference. Gophers kicker Eric Ellestad gets the slight edge over his counterpart, but Ellestad hasn't attempted a field goal in two games. Field position will be the key. Advantage: Even
INTANGIBLES TCF Bank Stadium provides the edge in a game between two evenly matched teams. It's been a long time since the Gophers had a true home-field advantage in a game against Wisconsin. That will be the case today, despite all those Badgers fans trying to get into the game. Advantage: Gophers
GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. BADGERS DEFENSE The Gophers took a big step in the running game at Northwestern, and that has to continue. Wisconsin, like the Gophers, has struggled stopping the run. Gophers QB Adam Weber is improving each week. Gophers offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch appears to be finding a groove in his play-calling. If the Gophers limit turnovers, they will score points. Eric Decker should have another big day. Advantage: Gophers
BADGERS OFFENSE VS. GOPHERS DEFENSE Nothing new with the Badgers' approach: Use the run to set up the play-action passing game. The difference? QB Scott Tolzien has been amazingly efficient in the system. It helps that the Badgers are second in the Big Ten in rushing. Wisconsin is tops in the Big Ten-- just ahead of the Gophers -- in red-zone offense, having scored touchdowns in 14 of 16 trips inside the opponent's 20. Advantage: Badgers
SPECIAL TEAMS Both teams have big-play threats on kickoff returns in the Gophers' Troy Stoudermire and Wisconsin's David Gilreath, who are third and fourth in the conference. Gophers kicker Eric Ellestad gets the slight edge over his counterpart, but Ellestad hasn't attempted a field goal in two games. Field position will be the key. Advantage: Even
INTANGIBLES TCF Bank Stadium provides the edge in a game between two evenly matched teams. It's been a long time since the Gophers had a true home-field advantage in a game against Wisconsin. That will be the case today, despite all those Badgers fans trying to get into the game. Advantage: Gophers
