5th Quarter Consensus: Wisconsin continues dominance over Indiana

by Jake Harris on Nov 5, 2009 10:59 PM CST in Wisconsin Badgers Football

Wisconsin at Indiana

Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET

Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.

Weather Forecast: 61F, Sunny, 0% chance of rain

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: WIBA-AM 1310, WIBA-FM 101.5 and the Badgers Radio Network

Coverage: A week's worth of coverage at Bucky's 5th Quarter

Opposing Blog: The Crimson Quarry

The Consensus

Jake Harris (7-1, +116): Wisconsin 35, Indiana 14

Adam Hoge (7-1, +122): Wisconsin 31, Indiana 13

Benjamin Worgull (BadgerNation.com): Wisconsin 41, Indiana 20

The Reasoning

Wisconsin restored a lot of people's faith after shutting out Purdue on Halloween. The Badgers lead the Big Ten in rushing offense, while the Hoosiers are eighth in rushing defense. Wisconsin is also best in the conference against the run, while Indiana ranks eighth in rushing offense. These mismatches could very well tell the story of the game. Expect a heavy dose of John Clay early from Wisconsin. The Big Ten's leading rusher had a phenomenal day against Purdue and should be able to wear down a suspect Hoosier defense. The coaches appear to have lost some confidence in Scott Tolzien, but he shouldn't have to do much to ensure a victory for the second week in a row.

Wisconsin is a very healthy team right now, with the only major injury to linebacker Mike Taylor. His replacement, though, is gaining steam in a bid for Freshman of the Year. Chris Borland has been outstanding this season, and his indefatigable energy is emblematic of a rejuvenated defense certainly capable of shutting down the eighth-ranked scoring offense in the league.

Bret Bielema's teams have walloped Indiana in each of his three years as head coach, including twice on the road. That trend should continue with this match-up of two teams heading in opposite directions. Wisconsin is fresh off of a shutout victory and knows it should be favored to win its remaining four games and finish 10-2. Indiana has blown three fourth-quarter leads in opposing Big Ten stadiums and must win two of its last three just to become bowl-eligible. It is uncertain how much gas the Hoosiers have left in the tank after giving Big Ten leader Iowa all it could handle last week, only to collapse at the end.

Factor in the injury to Indiana's star kick returner, Ray Fisher, and maybe even Bielema's own special teams unit will join the party as the Badgers notch an easy victory.

Who has the edge?

Offense: Wisconsin

Defense: Wisconsin

Special Teams: Wisconsin

Coaching: Wisconsin

Intangibles: Wisconsin

-Jake Harris

Poll

Who you got Saturday, Wisconsin or Indiana?

Wisconsin by 1-9

3 votes

Wisconsin by 10 or more

32 votes

Indiana by 1-9

0 votes

Indiana by 10 or more

0 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

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Badgers Football Schedule

UNLV	Thu 09/01	W 51 - 17
Oregon St. Building The Dam	Sat 09/10	W 35 - 0
@ Northern Illinois Red And Black Attack	Sat 09/17	W 49 - 7
South Dakota Coyotes	Sat 09/24	W 59 - 10
Nebraska Corn Nation	Sat 10/01	W 48 - 17
Indiana The Crimson Quarry	Sat 10/15	W 59 - 7
@ Michigan St. The Only Colors	Sat 10/22	L 31 - 37
@ Ohio St. Along The Olentangy	Sat 10/29	L 29 - 33
Purdue Hammer and Rails	Sat 11/05	W 62 - 17
@ Minnesota The Daily Gopher	Sat 11/12	W 42 - 13
@ Illinois Hail to the Orange	Sat 11/19	W 28 - 17
Penn St. Black Shoe Diaries	Sat 11/26	W 45 - 7
@ Michigan St. The Only Colors	Sat 12/03	W 42 - 39
@ Oregon Addicted To Quack	Mon 01/02	L 38 - 45