The Wisconsin Badgers (6-2, 3-1) look to keep pace in the Big Ten West division as they play host to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-4, 1-3) in what looks to be a soggy Halloween morning on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst's squad overcame a rash of injuries in their 24-13 victory against the Illinois Fighting Illini last week in Champaign, Ill. Juniors Dan Voltz and Robert Wheelwright will not be available -- as Voltz will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury, and Wheelwright will be out indefinitely.
That means the Badgers will have redshirt freshman Michael Deiter back at center, sliding over from his left guard position for the remainder of the season, with Micah Kapoi and Walker Williams holding ground as guards.
The good news: expect redshirt senior quarterback Joel Stave to play after going through concussion protocol. Whether junior running back Corey Clement will return is another question, though Chryst and others acknowledged the New Jersey native's done more in this week of practice than before after recovering from a sports hernia injury.
For more on Rutgers, here's Andrew Rosin's preview:
And while there's been so much talk about how the Badgers have been young and injured a bunch, the Scarlet Knights are potentially down two major offensive pieces. Wide receiver Leonte Carroo, when healthy, has been one of the most dominant talents at receiver in the nation. He's averaging almost 22 yards per catch and has nine touchdowns in five games. He injured his ankle in the Indiana game, and missed several practices and was taken out of the Ohio State game. It goes without saying that Rutgers is a much different offense with Carroo than without.
With that said, Janarion Grant is another useful wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights, but he shines in special teams. He's one of four players with multiple kickoff returns taken back for a touchdown. In addition to that, he was able to take a punt to the house for another touchdown. He has a very specific lower body injury, and if Grant can't play, quarterback Chris Laviano is potentially down two targets, and would just take what the Badgers can give them in the passing game.
The Scarlet Knights running game is three-pronged and is definitely underrated. Senior Paul James and sophomores Josh Hicks and Robert Martin will all take carries and both sophomores have hundred yard games to their credit. With the injuries to Rutgers receivers, you can see Rutgers attempt to grab 50 carries, and you can see any member of the Badgers linebacking crew to threaten to get to double digits in tackles.
Read below for the game's complete viewing information.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Wisconsin Badgers | Saturday, Oct. 31 | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT | Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis.
TV: Big Ten Network
Live stream: The game can be live streamed on BTN2Go (subscription required)
Mobile: BTN2Go mobile app for iOS and Android phones.
TV crew: Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst), Lisa Byington (sideline reporter)
Radio: Badger Sports Network; Satellite: Sirius 118, XM 202; Mobile: iHeartRadio app (WIBA)
Radio crew: Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mike Lucas (analyst), Mark Tauscher (analyst), Patrick Herb (sideline reporter)
Odds: N/A (Bovada) (other sites showing Wisconsin as favorite between 19.5-20 points)