Badger Bits: While History is on Wisconsin’s Side, the Numbers May Not Be

Coming off the bye week, the quarterback question is answered and the offense and defense have had two weeks to prepare for the 4-5 Indiana Hoosiers. The Badgers are 37-18-2 all-time against the Hoosiers, and have won the previous seven meetings by an average of 34 points. However, if you’ve seen this season’s Indiana team, you know that this won’t be a blowout.

This is what most people would call a cliché "Must Win Game" for Wisconsin. If they beat Indiana, the BAdgers are ensured a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. However, if an upset happens and the Hoosiers win, they would tie the Badgers in the Leaders Division and force Wisconsin to have to beat Ohio State or Penn State and hope that Indiana loses to Purdue and Penn State, along with holding a tiebreaker over Wisconsin.

In six wins this year, the UW offense has scored an average of 31 points per game, while allowing just 17. However in their three losses, the Badgers have scored a mere 15.6 PPG, while they’ve allowed 18.6 PPG. While the Hoosiers' defense has been less than impressive -- allowing almost 29 PPG, which ranks 75th in the nation -- it’s been the offense that has kept them in games averaging 33 PPG. Indiana has scored at least 24 points in each game. Even though the Badgers' defense has been statistically consistent, it’s going to be the offense that is going to have to produce in order for Wisconsin to punch its ticket to Indianapolis.

Friday’s Links

FoxSports.com takes a look at how Montee Ball is getting back to his old form.

An in depth preview of this Big Ten Football Weekend.

Former Badger teammates JJ Watt and Gabe Carimi are facing off this Sunday on the big stage.

Are the Badgers really Capital One Bowl-bound?

Rick Wagner is glad that he didn’t come back too soon from his injury.