The Spotlight Dance -- Wisconsin

Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga vs. Wisconsin DE O'Brien Schofield

Bryan Bulaga (jr.) 

Dimensions - 6-foot-6, 312

Position - Left offensive tackle

Back story - Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga let himself have it after last week's performance against Michigan's Brandon Graham.

“He beat me on a couple plays. And he beat me on a couple plays and, jeez, technique was the issue. I didn't use any at all," Bulaga said.

The Hawkeyes were held to a season-low 83 rushing yards on 34 carries for 2.44 yards a carry. That was Iowa's fewest rushing yards since putting up 70 against Northwestern on Nov. 3, 2007. The Hawkeyes also allowed two sacks. The Hawkeyes are eighth in the Big Ten with 130.2 rushing yards a game. Their 3.7 yards a carry is tied for ninth and their lowest since 2007 (3.46).

Iowa's offensive line has been in catchup mode all season. Three of the five have had injuries that set them back. Of course, Bulaga had the thyroid illness that held him out three games this season.

"We're hardly where we want to be at this given point, but I think the potential is there the next six games for us to start making progress," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Bulaga on Schofield: "Fast and powerful."

O'Brien Schofield (jr.) 

Dimensions - 6-foot-3, 248

Position - Defensive end

Back story - Last week, Schofield had two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss against Ohio State.

After a sort blah career, Schofield is making a bid for Big Ten defensive MVP.  The senior from Great Lakes, Ill., leads the nation in tackles for loss with 14.5, 2.5 more than any other, and leads the Big Ten with 6.5 sacks. Schofield has recorded at least 2.5 tackles for loss in four games.

He entered the season with only five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 31 games.

“I can't tell you how many times this year I've felt, as a head coach, I might have had to address the players in a certain regard or say something about maybe what's happening at practice or about a locker room or an approach to a practice,” UW coach Bret Bielema said. “And before I can even formulate it, OB will be calling them up and saying exactly what we as coaches want to say and do. I think that's the part that as coaches, we really observe that, and I give all the credit in the world to [defensive line coach] Charlie Partridge and his influence on him.”

Judges?

If it was about career, you'd say Bulaga carries the edge going into Saturday's game.

But this is about Saturday's game and in this "what have you done for me lately world," Schofield has the advantage.

Against Ohio State, he showed a magnificent inside move, which will punish Bulaga or Kyle Calloway if they anchor too much on their outside foot. This isn't just on Bulaga. The Badgers moved Schofield around against OSU and will look for the most advantageous matchup.

 OSU had success with max protect, leaving a TE in to help. Maybe Andy Kuempel, the O-lineman who now wears No. 90 as the No. 3 TE, helps out here.

It might come to max protect. It did last week against Michigan.

Whatever works.