Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from shutout win over Minnesota in Week 13

2. Alex Hornibrook is in championship form ahead of Big Ten title

At times this season, Alex Hornibrook has faced criticism for his uneven play at quarterback for the Badgers. He has never put up huge numbers, but passing has never been the primary concern of the Wisconsin offense. All Paul Chryst asks is that his quarterbacks perform efficiently, protecting the football and hitting high-percentage passes.

On Saturday against rival Minnesota, Hornibrook was nearly perfect in that role. The sophomore southpaw completed 15 of his 19 passing attempts for 151 yards and three touchdowns, taking advantage of every window presented by the Golden Gophers. He showed poise on several big downfield throws, standing in against pressure from the Minnesota front to fire the ball into tight windows.

Last year, Hornibrook didn’t play in the Big Ten championship game against Penn State. Instead, it was Bart Houston who took the field for the Badgers. With Houston now bouncing around the NFL, Hornibrook is securely entrenched as the starter.

Hornibrook showed on Saturday why he earned the full-time position. Even with another game under 200 passing yards, he did exactly what the Wisconsin coaching staff hopes for from its field generals. If he can play as proficiently against Ohio State in Indianapolis next weekend, a spot in the College Football Playoff is in play for the Badgers.