HAWKEYES VS. BADGERS

When Iowa has the ball

J.J. Watt is “the” Wisconsin Badger.

The 6-foot-6, 292-pounder tilts the field. He turned in an impressive performance against Ohio State last week, tying a career high with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

He's one guy, but the Badgers defense fed off something in its upset of No. 1 Ohio State. Wisconsin seemed to find a gear that it hadn't shown.

Wisconsin's secondary wheeled up with the Buckeyes' fleet wideouts. Corners Niles Brinkley and Antoni Fenelus also were key in the Badgers' pursuit. They are making a bid at the title “Big Ten's best corner duo.”

Iowa has won all four games in which RB Adam Robinson has rushed for more than 100 yards. The Hawkeyes' can't have that as one of the “goals” today. Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz joked about the lack of size the Hawkeyes have up front. He's cool with it.

Still, Robinson and 100 yards probably isn't going to happen. The Hawkeyes have rushed for more than 100 yards against UW just once in the last four meetings. That “once” came with Shonn Greene's 254-yard effort in 2008.

This will challenge the core of what has made Iowa's offense go this season - quarterback Ricky Stanzi, wide receivers Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt and tight end Allen Reisner.

The Hawkeyes will obviously need to locate Watt in passing situations. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren moves Watt around, searching basically for where he can do the most damage. Where will that be against the Hawkeyes? However it goes, the Hawkeyes need a protection plan that will likely take receivers out of routes.

Advantage: Iowa

When Wisconsin has the ball

The secret to the Badgers' effort against Ohio State? No secret. Wisconsin has a big offensive line and a pair of running backs that a lot of Big Ten champions seem to have these days.

Wisconsin's offensive line simply beat the living daylights out of the Buckeyes' front seven. The Badgers did it every way possible. Double team and move on to the second level? Check. Straight up man, check. Seal and create lanes for Ron Dayne, or wait, P.J. Hill, no, no, oh yeah, John Clay? Check.

The physical manhandling clearly knocked the wind out of the Buckeyes.

All week, the Hawkeyes talked technique and quickness. That's their best chance here. Iowa's D-tackles Karl Klug, Christian Ballard and Mike Daniels can win their share of battles with quick hands and feet.

The Hawkeyes know what's coming with Clay. They know they need to keep his feet guessing and muddy his vision. True freshman James White counters Clay's power with speed and quickness. Iowa will need to be hyper aware of cutback lanes when White carries.

Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien has the ability to unleash a quick passing game that pretty much nullified Iowa's pass rush at Arizona.

If Iowa can rush four and get pressure, Tolzien's improvising skills will be tested. The Badgers' offense doesn't thrive on improvisation. But that's a huge “if” for Iowa.

Advantage: Wisconsin

Special teams

On the first breath against Ohio State, UW return specialist David Gilreath took a few steps right and then jetted up a seam to the left. He took it 97 yards and the Badgers had a 7-0 lead 12 seconds into the game. Gilreath wasn't touched. UW Coach Bret Bielema coaches special teams, so if the head coach is involved, you know the Badgers emphasize it.

Punter Brad Nortman ranks third in school history (and 19th in the country) with a 42.1 career average. Only six of Nortman's 23 punts have been returned this season. Dating back to last season, junior kicker Philip Welch has made 17 of his last 20 field goals.

Iowa's special team units are skewing young, with nine freshmen involved in one way or another. Ferentz told the Hawkeyes this week that special teams likely will be the difference in the game. The Hawkeyes have improved since the Arizona debacle, but it's still a “one play at a time” type of deal for Iowa.

Advantage: Wisconsin

The scoreboard

Wisconsin's offense is almost in foolproof mode. It can be that way with an offensive line that comes with a Richter scale. Tolzien is a tough leader who's got the experience and patience to find holes in Iowa's zone pass defense. Iowa's defensive line isn't too bad, either. Robinson has been, perhaps, the MVP of Iowa's offense through the first half. This is Stanzi's time and his got the weapons to leave a mark in DJK and McNutt.

Iowa 21, Wisconsin 20

- Marc Morehouse