Pre-Snap Read: Badgers on the road again to take on Indiana
The No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) will head out on the road again for a trip to Bloomington, Ind., for a game against the Indiana (3-5, 0-5), their first game against the Hoosiers since 2013.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST, and the game is scheduled to air on ABC. Make sure you're up to speed on what you need to know about the game with our Pre-Snap Read below.
FIRST READ: HOW MUCH OF A WORKLOAD CAN JONATHAN TAYLOR TAKE ON?
The Badgers listed star running back Jonathan Taylor as 'questionable' for this week's game against Indiana with a leg injury he suffered last week against Illinois, but the freshman practiced all week for UW. He'll make the trip down to Indiana, according to head coach Paul Chryst, but the Badgers are still in 'wait and see' mode with Taylor and a few other players - most notably wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety D'Cota Dixon. If Taylor can take on his usual workload - or something close to it - Wisconsin's offense should be able to round in to form. If Taylor has to sit out of the game, they'll have to find other ways to make explosive plays that shorten the field.
SECOND READ: CAN WISCONSIN'S DEFENSE GET INDIANA OFF THE FIELD?
Indiana's offense has had their fair share of struggles this season, and finishing drives (and close games) has been a particular issue for them. When things go their way they can move down the field quickly - they're one of the quickest teams in the country from a tempo-perspective. They will try and use their offensive pace to trap the Badgers in a matchup disadvantage and keep them from subbing players on to the field, so it will be important for the players who are on the field to stay locked in on their assignment for a long drive. If the Badgers can get Indiana to have a few three-and-outs this weekend it will go a long way towards keeping their defense fresh.
THIRD READ: CAN THE BADGERS MOVE THE BALL AGAINST INDIANA'S STURDY DEFENSE?
Yes, you read that right. Indiana's defense so far this season is much better than it was a few years ago when the Badgers played them regularly - and hung anywhere from 60 to 80 points on them each year. Head coach Tom Allen had a big role in helping the defense take a step forward last year, and even if statistically the Hoosiers have taken a bit of a step back from 2016 they're still much better than where they were in 2013. Life will be easier for the Badgers if Jonathan Taylor is available this weekend for UW, but they'll need to make sure that they cap off scoring chances they get with touchdowns - and avoid turning the ball over like they have over their last few weeks.
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BADGERBLITZ.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS
JOHN VELDHUIS: WISCONSIN 28, INDIANA 17
(8-0 this season)
If Jonathan Taylor is relatively healthy and ready to go then I think Wisconsin's offense will make enough big plays to shorten the field and put some points on the board against a resurgent Indiana defense. They need to avoid shooting themselves in the foot, though, or else they could be on upset alert in Bloomington.
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John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.