Wisconsin Football: Big Ten West title hopes rely on Week 11 win over Iowa

Wisconsin football is trying to recover from back-to-back losses on the season. Can it right the ship against Iowa to keep the Big Ten West hopes alive?

You know what you’re getting when Wisconsin and Iowa are playing. This game will be ugly, old-school, smash mouth style football. Both teams will look to chisel away at the opposing defenses and try to crack the seams. Just the way Big Ten football is supposed to be played.

But there’s a lot on the line in this one. Wisconsin is fighting to save its season. Injuries (and Alex Hornibrook) derailed the team last season (again, mostly Hornibrook), and they were looking to claim back their perch atop of the Big Ten West. It was looking great to start, as they started 6-0, including dominating Michigan. This team looked a real challenger to Ohio State.

That’s when Illinois happened. A deflating performance, where Illinois was able to expose Wisconsin’s tough defense for big plays turned the season sideways, and the game against Ohio State felt over before it even started.

Their counterpart is Iowa, who is bouncing back from a two-game losing streak of their own. After dropping games to Michigan and Penn State, the Hawkeyes rebounded by holding on against Purdue and shutting out lowly Northwestern.

But this isn’t where these teams were hoping to be. With Week 11 upon us, this game feels like a loser leaves town sort of contest. Both teams are now playing catch up to Minnesota, and it’s hard to imagine the winner of the Big Ten West having four conference losses. This is a must win for both teams.

Here’s how to watch:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Madison, Wisc.
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

Wisconsin’s game plan is simple, stay ahead of the chains, and limit the turnovers. The game against Illinois they dominated, but turned the ball over three times to the Illini one. Against Ohio State, they were playing catch up from the start, and they can’t force the ball downfield with their style.

The Badgers are still one of the best teams in the country when playing at their tempo. If they can play off of Taylor, keep third downs short and manage field position, they will pound you into submission. When they put the ball on the ground and give you short fields and forcing throws, they are a different team.

Iowa needs to limit the pressure. Nate Stanley is a good quarterback, but in their two losses Penn State and Michigan sacked Stanley a combined 10 times. Stanley threw a combined one touchdown and four interceptions in those games (he only has five on the season). He can make the throws, but, like most quarterbacks, doesn’t handle the pressure. If the Hawkeyes can avoid that and force some turnovers, they’ll be in good shape for this one.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of The Action Network

Line: Wisconsin -9
Over/Under: 38

Prediction

Two things favor Wisconsin: they’re back at home, and it’s going to be cold.  Cold doesn’t typically cater to passing offenses, and it won’t help Iowa.

On top of the cold, I said when Iowa can’t block, they tend to struggle. Well, Wisconsin has some of the best blitzing linebackers in the country. Chris Orr and Zack Baun combine for 16.5 sacks on the season, both in the top 15 in the country in total sacks. I think they get to Stanley, Jonathan Taylor has a big bounce-back performance, and the Badgers right the ship. On Wisconsin.

Final Score: Wisconsin 21, Iowa 13