Both Wisconsin and Northwestern are coming off dominant wins entering Saturday’s game at Martin Stadium in Evanston.
The Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) are rolling after outscoring Purdue and Rutgers by a combined 94-13 while racking up 500-plus yards in back-to-back Big Ten games for the first time since 2010. Tawee Walker ran for a career-best 198 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Badgers pummeled the Scarlet Knights 42-7 last week.
Northwestern (3-3, 1-2) stopped a two-game losing streak with a 37-10 win at Maryland last week. This will be the Wildcats’ final game this year at their temporary lakefront stadium. They host No. 4 Ohio State and No. 22 Illinois on Nov. 16 and 30 at Wrigley Field.
- Time/TV: 11 a.m. Saturday, BTN
- Line: Wisconsin by 7½
- Series: Wisconsin leads 62-38-5
Key matchup
Wisconsin RB Tawee Walker vs. Northwestern’s defensive line
The Oklahoma transfer has run for three touchdowns in back-to-back games and rushed for two in a Sept. 28 loss at USC. He’s second in the Big Ten and tied for 10th in the nation with nine scoring runs. Northwestern ranks fifth in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation against the run, allowing 87.5 yards per game. The Wildcats held Maryland to 59 yards on 33 attempts.
Players to watch
Wisconsin: QB Braedyn Locke has thrown for 904 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He started the last three games after Tyler Van Dyke was injured in a loss to Alabama on Sept. 14.
Northwestern: LB Xander Mueller, a third-team all-conference selection last season, leads the Wildcats with 41 tackles, including three for a loss. He’s one of five Big Ten linebackers with at least 40 tackles and three for a loss.
Facts & figures
Wisconsin and Northwestern have split the last 18 meetings. … The Badgers are 61-31 against conference opponents since 2014. Only Ohio State (84-8) and Michigan (68-23) have more Big Ten wins in that span. … Northwestern scored 17 points off four turnovers against Maryland and won despite being outgained 355-283. … Wildcats CB Theran Johnson is tied for first in the nation with nine pass breakups.
