Week 12 Preview: (22) Wisconsin vs. (11) Nebraska

While the B1G conference has not been the hot spot for all your collegiate gridiron action, there is still a game worth mentioning as we go into week 12. That game is, of course, No. 11 Nebraska against No. 22 Wisconsin.

Though it is highly unlikely we will see either of these two teams in the playoffs this season, there is currently a three-way tie for the B1G West title including the Huskers and Badgers as well as the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Each with one loss in conference play, this weekend’s matchup will be crucial. The team that comes out of Camp Randall victorious on Saturday will be on the fast track to that B1G West title, and possibly headed to the conference championship.

So, that being said, we can conclude that this game will not be fought in vain for either sideline. But, who will record a win this weekend?

First, we take a look at the Husker offense, which will be their bread and butter out on the turf this weekend. Nebraska boasts a No. 17 rank in offense nationally, averaging 490.6 yards. The unit is also No. 3 in the B1G in scoring at an average of 40.4 points per game.

Look for star running back Ameer Abdullah to make an appearance. The senior is without a doubt the biggest talent on the squad and perhaps the greatest player in the B1G right now. He is No. 3 in the league for rushing with 138.9 yards, along with 186 carries for 1,250 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Abdullah did, however succumb to an injury against Purdue. Last week the Huskers had a bye, giving Abdullah time to relax. He has been sporting a brace this past week during practice. Whether or not he is at 100% out on the field, will be a test of time.

Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen, however, wants to see a full strength Abdullah out on the field.

“Given the class act he is, I truly hope he is 100 percent. The guy has the highest reel. He has 5- or 6- yard runs where he is cutting and moving and bobbing and weaving and then being physical at the end. They may not make the sports highlights reel, but they make the coaches highlight reel,” Andersen said.

Andersen clearly wants the opportunity to test his ranked defense. Wisconsin ranks first nationally in total defense at 251.1 yards per game. The Badgers are third in passing defense with 156.8 yards per game and fifth in rushing defense at 94.3 yards per game. They are also third in scoring defense, averaging 14.3 points per game.

This is a defense that has been rebuilt from the ground up, largely thanks to defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. But has that defense had the chance to go up against a true offensive line so far this season? The schedule says no, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be getting their chance this weekend.

Another player to look out for is, of course, the Badgers running back Melvin Gordon. Gordon has been on the Heisman watch list for all season, but has done so in an almost elusive way. He leads the nation in rushing yards with 1,501 this season, averaging about 166 yards per game, yet his name has been overshadowed by guys like Indiana’s Tevin Coleman or Georgia’s Todd Gurley. Gordon averages around 7.8 yards per carry, good for second in the nation. And if all that weren’t enough to support his claim for Heisman recognition, he is second in the nation in both rushing touchdowns and scoring.

While the Badgers have walked all over the underdogs of the B1G in the latter half of the season, Gordon is seriously making a case for his Heisman hopes,.  Saturday’s matchup will pit two excellent offensive talents against each other, though not directly. It will be interesting to see the numbers for Abdullah and Gordon at the end of the game.

The Huskers are going to give the Badgers a run for their money, and really put their defense to work. Look for the Huskers to take to the perimeter against the Badgers d-line. This is matchup is crucial for Wisconsin to show their defensive might is strong enough to stop the big dogs.

Both teams are lacking in the special teams department. In a typical toss of the pig skin, this might not come under the spotlight as a key to the game, but in a game such as this, it could make or break the score. Don’t believe me? Take a glance back at Utah’s loss to Arizona State.

The quarterbacks on either side of the line will need to step up. Wisconsin has been working in a two-quarterback system, which has been showing improvement as it progressed. Nebraska has Tommy Armstrong Jr at quarterback, who hasn’t been at the top of his game recently. It will be important for Armstrong to step up and not crumble under the pressure of the mighty Badger defense.

*Section Photo credit to Eric Francis, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Bruce Thorson, USA Today Sports

Week 12 Preview: (5) Alabama vs. (1) Miss. State
Week 12 Preview: (5) Alabama vs. (1) Miss. State