Bucky's 5th Quarter - Wisconsin vs. Illinois, 2017: Week 9 recaps, analysisWelcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47803/buckys-fave.png2017-10-31T11:09:08-05:00http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/rss/stream/163141852017-10-31T11:09:08-05:002017-10-31T11:09:08-05:00Evaluating Wisconsin after the road win at Illinois
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FPUo20p6X-3N73fkxiFoVF0gsKc=/0x12:2588x1737/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57404501/867497118.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Our roundtable gives final thoughts on the Badgers’ win in Champaign and looks ahead to the Hoosiers.</p> <p id="nQHgyu">We all know it was not the most pretty of wins for the now-No.4 <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> in their 24–10 road victory over Illinois on Saturday.</p>
<p id="9waFNu">The offense sputtered without true freshman <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> for a good chunk of the game and needed a <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy">#BigGuyTouchdown</a> in the fourth quarter to really seal the road win.</p>
<p id="Xrrn8h">Wisconsin’s defense continued its impressive year, holding Illinois to 286 yards of total offense while creating three turnovers and five sacks.</p>
<p id="NaQEGl">Now the Badgers, with their roster <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/30/16570612/wisconsin-football-injuries-jonathan-taylor-quintez-cephus-dcota-dixon-indiana">speckled with injuries to key players</a> like Taylor, <span>Quintez Cephus</span>, and <span>D’Cota Dixon</span>, travel to Bloomington to take on an Indiana squad that has not won a conference game this season. That doesn’t mean the Hoosiers haven’t played tough against the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State, though.</p>
<aside id="tme8jN"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Upset Alert: Beware the Horrors of Bloomington","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/31/16578766/wisconsin-football-indiana-jonathan-taylor"}]}'></div></aside><p id="0NVRup">Our roundtable of writers convenes once again to break down the win and what’s ahead.</p>
<h3 id="zNUi5H">The Good: What went well in Champaign on Saturday?</h3>
<p id="yPNBJB"><a href="https://twitter.com/RieseDraft">Owen Riese: </a>The Badgers won, man. It was ugly and unimpressive, but they are now 8–0 and survive and advance to Indiana next weekend. They found a way to win, which is the most important.</p>
<p id="BmijiD"><a href="https://twitter.com/ThatsSoRyan85">Ryan Mellenthin:</a> While the offense struggled to find its footing, the defense was the Wisconsin defense we all know and love. <span>Garrett Groshek</span> played very well in relief of Taylor, once he left with an injury. Groshek is quickly becoming a regular in the crowded Badger backfield. Not to mention, a 328-pound offensive lineman scored a touchdown.</p>
<aside id="jeNDrc"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Deiter overcomes nerves, scores unorthodox touchdown in Wisconsin win","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy"}]}'></div></aside><p id="egg0E4"><a href="https://twitter.com/da_chief_24">Kevin O’Connell:</a> It can be easy to forget just how great Wisconsin’s defense is after watching it dominate teams seemingly with ease on a week-to-week basis. The secondary has improved with every game, a testament to Jim Leonhard’s defensive back expertise, and it clamped down on Illinois’s passing attack all afternoon. Led by the duo of <span>Nick Nelson</span> and <span>Derrick Tindal</span>, the Badgers’ secondary finished with eight defended passes and two interceptions, albeit against an inept Illinois offense. Still, UW’s defensive backs have made some huge strides this year and they played exceptional in Champaign.</p>
<h3 id="L1qF0h">The Bad: What needs to be cleaned up?</h3>
<p id="KdmxfD"><strong>Owen:</strong> About everything. It was pretty clear that Wisconsin shortened the playbook as to not show its hand for the stretch run to end the season, but execution was lacking up front. It was an ugly, sloppy game.</p>
<p id="7UjbCs"><strong>Ryan:</strong> Wisconsin’s offense needs some fine-tuning. This is the second time in three weeks where Wisconsin has done just enough to get by on offense. If they hope to continue their unbeaten streak, doing just enough may prove to not be enough. Quarterback <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> needs to be able to exploit the defense more efficiently when the opposition loads the box, which is something he was unable to do against Illinois.</p>
<p id="A7EGBr"><strong>Kevin:</strong> I know this is an obvious critique, but Hornibrook needs to limit his mistakes if Wisconsin wants any shot at winning a Big Ten championship. As Owen mentioned, the game plan was definitely conservative, so I won’t knock Hornibrook for completing only 10 passes on the day, but his interception came at an inopportune time and allowed the Illini to hang around longer than they should have. The redshirt sophomore signal caller will be tested on the road at Indiana, against a Hoosiers team that ranks 19th in the country in passing yards allowed.</p>
<h3 id="h2AiYf">Game balls: Who deserves ‘em?</h3>
<p id="B4WQv8"><strong>Owen:</strong> <span>Nick Nelson</span>. He’s the dude. He’s a dog and plays with the swagger this defense oozes week in and week out. He’ll be playing on Sunday’s sooner rather than later. </p>
<p id="KLAjuX"><strong>Ryan:</strong> I have to give out two this week. First off, I agree with Owen, Nelson was a force on defense per usual. Nelson broke up four passes on Saturday, which was half of the Wisconsin defense’s eight pass break-ups. The second one goes to the most efficient scorer in the NCAA, <span>Michael Deiter</span>, who scored his first touchdown of his collegiate career on his first carry.</p>
<p id="L6RDFB"><strong>Kevin:</strong> I’ll give my game ball to defensive end <span>Alec James</span>, who has quietly become a force for Leonhard’s defense in 2017. The senior finished with four tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery against the Illini, and has been a key cog in Wisconsin’s injury-plagued defensive line all season.</p>
<h3 id="GdOP4Q">Up next: Indiana. Early keys to a game that <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/31/16578766/wisconsin-football-indiana-jonathan-taylor">already has some worried</a>?</h3>
<p id="m3fAZL"><strong>Owen:</strong> Limiting mistakes and time of possession. Indiana scores quick, make them play by making their defense play the whole game.</p>
<p id="l25yAb"><strong>Ryan</strong>: Wisconsin will want to look to start strong offensively against Indiana and win the turnover battle and cut back on its turnovers. Hornibrook has thrown at least one interception in five straight games and has thrown interceptions in six of eight games this season.</p>
<p id="G8HNHn"><strong>Kevin:</strong> This has all the makings of a trap game, so as Ryan said, it’s imperative the Badgers get on the board early against a surprisingly stout Indiana defense. The Hoosiers rank 30th in the country in total defense and put a scare into Michigan and Michigan State already this season. Keep an eye out for outside linebacker <span>Tegray Scales</span>, an All-Big Ten talent and future NFL draft pick, who will need to be contained in pass protection.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/31/16580732/wisconsin-football-illinois-indiana-nick-nelson-garrett-groshek-alec-jamesJake KocorowskiOwen RieseRyan MellenthinKevin O'Connell2017-10-30T11:54:23-05:002017-10-30T11:54:23-05:00B5Q5Q: Week 9 game balls, plays of the game
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZD0F5KRuiuWDaXpKlFPk9Efql40=/0x69:3000x2069/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57370501/867538742.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Game balls, plays of the game, and more.</p> <p id="XemrM7">SOMEWHERE IN THE LAND WITH NO HILLS, Ill. — I’m currently carpooling home from Champaign with a band of <s>merry</s> beat writers, making our way northward through the flatlands of our neighbors south of us.</p>
<p id="4y5fiN">No. 5 Wisconsin <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiter">outlasted Illinois 24–10</a> in front of 40,000-plus inside Memorial Stadium, a game that never felt in danger of being lost, but with “style points” in play, will probably not fare well for the Badgers when the College Football Playoff rankings come out on Halloween.</p>
<p id="y4w9Gc">Had the Badgers won convincingly, they probably would move up further in the polls with No. 2 Penn State and No. 4 TCU losing on Saturday, but No. 6 Ohio State—along with the likes of No. 7 Clemson and the rest (hello, No. 9 Notre Dame)—should move up as well.</p>
<p id="VVj9OH">Nonetheless, Wisconsin is 8–0 for the first time since 2004, and the polls don’t mean anything with all eyes set to the CFP committee. How will that committee look at UW, though? Probably not with the kindest of eyes in what very euphemistically can be called an underwhelming win.</p>
<p id="G96C3K">Keep winning, including the Big Ten championship game, and Wisconsin has to punch its ticket to the playoff, right? The Badgers just have to take it one game at a time.</p>
<p id="GzE6bC">However, <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson">the offense needs to continue to find its consistency</a>, and soon—especially with what could be a challenging game in Bloomington less than a week away and the toughest part of its schedule beginning in November.</p>
<aside id="CH1Ii1"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Deiter overcomes nerves, scores unorthodox touchdown in Wisconsin win","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy"},{"title":"Grading Wisconsin’s win at Illinois","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="KQO4ZN">Game balls</h3>
<p id="UjD0OI"><span><strong>Michael Deiter</strong></span><strong>:</strong> Big guy touchdown. Piesman Trophy candidate. Need we say more?</p>
<div id="GQJAn6"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWd3qe_g1BE?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="KRNHsl"><span><strong>Chris Orr</strong></span><strong>: </strong>The inside linebacker led the team in tackles (seven) while notching a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry.</p>
<p id="QehJDB"><span><strong>Alec James</strong></span><strong>:</strong> The redshirt senior defensive end is playing at a high level, recording two sacks and four tackles in the win. It was the first time the Brookfield, Wis., native recorded multiple sacks in a game. For the season, he’s tied for second on the team in sacks (four) with outside linebacker <span>Andrew Van Ginkel</span>.</p>
<p id="hu1JEO"><span><strong>Garrett Groshek</strong></span><strong>:</strong> Stepping up for the injured <span>Jonathan Taylor</span>, he rushed for 51 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Like most walk-ons, he’s had the ability to step in and help contribute when numbers are down.</p>
<h3 id="xv910j">Play(s) of the Game</h3>
<p id="SwODnw">There’s 1a, 1b and 1c:</p>
<p id="fI476L"><strong>1a. </strong><span><strong>Tyler Johnson</strong></span><strong>’s strip-sack of quarterback </strong><span><strong>Jeff George, Jr. </strong></span><strong>: </strong>Wisconsin scored 14 points off of turnovers, with the walk-on outside linebacker’s forced fumble leading to a seven-play, 50-yard drive that culminated in Groshek’s touchdown to give UW a 14–0 lead in the second quarter. The first career sack and forced fumble for the Menasha, Wis., product switched the momentum built up after Illinois intercepted <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> and returned it into UW territory.</p>
<p id="ed9WTD"><strong>1b</strong><strong>. </strong><span><strong>Joe Ferguson’s</strong></span><strong> interception</strong><strong>: </strong>Illinois was driving down the field, and a holding penalty pushed its offense back the play immediately before the redshirt senior’s pick. The former walk-on was in perfect position to make a play on the ball when caught at the UW 6-yard line, then proceeded to return it 37 yards, setting up the drive that led to...</p>
<p id="RhoYnz"><strong>1c</strong><strong>.</strong><strong> Deiter</strong><strong>’s touchdown</strong><strong>:</strong> There’s nothing more I can say about this. /sheds tear</p>
<div id="oklh16"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R4CEXtK4rRI?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="660tcv">Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li id="2FGcDk">Wisconsin is now 29–6 overall under head coach Paul Chryst.</li>
<li id="3MxwSD">Wisconsin has now scored 76 points off of the 16 takeaways it has forced through eight games this season.</li>
<li id="t6JMEJ">Wisconsin recorded a season-high 10 passes defended (that means pass break-ups plus interceptions). Eight pass break-ups and two interceptions by the defense contributed to the defensive effort.</li>
<li id="jGa90p">With Wisconsin’s five sacks against Illinois, the team is averaging 3.4 per game. That’s a full sack more per contest than what was seen during the 2016 season.</li>
<li id="Q3dBOw">
<span>Alec Ingold’s</span> one-yard #FULLBACKTOUCHDOWN was the ninth rushing touchdown of his career, the first of the 2017 season.</li>
<li id="ftFdRS">Five Wisconsin outside linebackers have contributed 23.5 of the team’s 56 tackles for loss this season so far (<span>Garret Dooley</span> 9.5, <span>Leon Jacobs</span> and Van Ginkel six each, Tyler Johnson and <span>Christian Bell</span> with one each).</li>
<li id="T3Kmut">Van Ginkel, for that matter, registered a career-high two tackles for loss.</li>
<li id="G6qUS7">Wisconsin placekicker <span>Rafael Gaglianone</span> converted a 52-yard field goal attempt right before halftime. It was the third 50-yard-plus field goal of his career, which now places him for successfully kicking the most 50-yard field goals in UW history alongside Taylor Mehlhaff and Philip Welch.</li>
</ul>
<p id="OueZs2"><em>[Update</em><em>, Monday,</em><em> 11:55 a.m. CT: </em><em>A </em><em>UW official confirmed</em><em> that</em><em> Garret Dooley was credited with the sack and forced fumble, rather than Chris Orr. Our game ball and notes section</em><em>s</em><em> have been updated.]</em></p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/29/16565518/wisconsin-football-highlights-illinois-michael-deiter-alec-james-joe-fergusonJake Kocorowski2017-10-29T14:58:51-05:002017-10-29T14:58:51-05:00Wisconsin moves up one spot in both polls
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kkcG5Ea7kcuswN6MAfY6NkbaUXU=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57374501/867529152.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The first College Football Playoff committee rankings will be released on Tuesday.</p> <p id="guCzaR">In the last polls before the College Football Playoff committee releases its first rankings of the season on Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> moved up one spot to No. 4 in both the <a href="http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/football/polls/coaches-poll/">Amway Coaches Poll</a> and <a href="http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll">Associated Press Top 25</a>.</p>
<p id="RWmxAG">After a <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiter">24–10 victory over Illinois</a>, Wisconsin currently sits at 8–0 with a manageable path to the Big Ten championship. In both polls, Alabama and Georgia remain at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, while Ohio State jumped up to No. 3 after its 39–38 win over Penn State.</p>
<p id="RwvFeQ">Four Big Ten teams remain in the coaches poll, but Michigan State dropped out after its triple-overtime loss to Northwestern:</p>
<ul>
<li id="zXaudt">Ohio State (No. 3, up three spots)</li>
<li id="PBQmkR">Wisconsin (No. 4, up one spot)</li>
<li id="ZZRYwn">Penn State (No. 7, down five spots)</li>
<li id="NQb6rQ">Michigan (No. 24, up one spot)</li>
</ul>
<p id="KWfroh">Michigan remained out of the AP poll, while Michigan State is still ranked despite its loss:</p>
<ul>
<li id="MmiN2w">Ohio State (No. 3, up three spots)</li>
<li id="hfHuZy">Wisconsin (No. 4, up one spot)</li>
<li id="EKeqmu">Penn State (No. 7, down five spots)</li>
<li id="GvbLcy">Michigan State (No. 24, down eight spots)</li>
</ul>
<p id="6Ne1LX">It will be interesting to see where the committee ranks Wisconsin on Tuesday. There is some suspicion that the Badgers’ weak schedule will keep them out of the committee’s first top four, as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Oklahoma all have impressive wins on their résumés despite each team having one loss. Wisconsin likely still controls its own destiny, as games against Michigan and Ohio State (in the Big Ten championship game) would probably be enough to get the Badgers into the playoff. Tune into ESPN at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday to see where the committee slates the Badgers.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/29/16567356/college-football-rankings-polls-week-10-ap-top-25-coaches-wisconsin-badgersKevin O'Connell2017-10-29T03:41:23-05:002017-10-29T03:41:23-05:00Nick Nelson, secondary shine in Wisconsin’s win
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TlzO1crl6BgiYzkAHGBjOn2R2lM=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57370449/867532972.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tindal and Ferguson also grabbed interceptions as the Badgers upended the Illini in Champaign.</p> <p id="NNfvkV">CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — On a grey and gloomy day, the Wisconsin secondary shined.</p>
<p id="ybF03V">Led by junior cornerback <span>Nick Nelson</span>, the secondary took advantage of some horrendous play from frequently-shuffled Illinois quarterbacks <span>Jeff George, Jr.</span>, and <span>Cam Thomas</span>, contributing heavily to <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiter">Wisconsin’s 24–10 win</a> on the road Saturday. </p>
<p id="cZ4wLr">Illinois managed only 152 yards in the air on a combined 9-of-31 passing from George, Jr., and Thomas. Primary Illini receiving threat <span>Ricky Smalling</span> was held to just one catch for 26 yards. Receiver <span>Mike Dudek</span> managed three catches for 33 yards before leaving the game with an injury.</p>
<p id="SF3AyT">With the Illinois receivers getting little separation, Wisconsin’s front seven feasted, grabbing five sacks on the day.</p>
<aside id="zzFrMb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Deiter overcomes nerves, scores unorthodox touchdown in Wisconsin win","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy"},{"title":"Grading Wisconsin’s win at Illinois","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="bZa5HO">Nelson was all over the field, breaking up four passes and nearly getting to Thomas on a blitz in the third quarter. With his 14th pass break-up of 2017, Nelson has now tied Jim Leonhard and Jamar Fletcher for fourth-place in school history in pass breakups in a season.</p>
<p id="TADHzE">Nelson was not the only member of the Badgers’ secondary to shine. With junior safety <span>D’Cota Dixon</span> a late scratch during pre-game warm-ups, senior safety <span>Joe Ferguson</span> filled in admirably with two tackles and a fourth-quarter interception that took away Illinois’s last, best opportunity to get back into the game.</p>
<div id="gJ1d0x">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You go, Joe. <a href="https://twitter.com/joeferg5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joeferg5</a> picks Cam Thomas and ends Illinois' drive, and <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BadgerFootball</a> looks like they're putting this one away: <a href="https://t.co/ILy1iwyihl">pic.twitter.com/ILy1iwyihl</a></p>— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork/status/924347732160077824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="tAlrgX">“[Turnovers are] an emphasis in practice.” Ferguson said. “We are always thinking about the ball, and another thing is when someone does get a pick or fumble, everybody is juiced up and excited for them. It makes everyone else want to make a play.”</p>
<p id="S7kEPn">Freshman cornerback <span>Dontye (“D-C-Dub”) Carriere-Williams</span> broke up two passes of this own to along with three tackles. Senior cornerback <span>Derrick Tindal</span> got the defense rolling in the first quarter, picking off Thomas on the Illini’s first offensive series.</p>
<p id="TBbODe">The Badgers finished the game with a season-high 10 passes defended.</p>
<p id="Lhz0LL">Under defensive coordinator Leonhard, Wisconsin is in the top 10 nationally in interceptions and team passing efficiency defense. Eight different Badgers have now recorded interceptions this season.</p>
<p id="XfB4cS">Coming into the season, one of the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/7/7/15925884/wisconsin-football-2017-safeties-dcota-dixon-jim-leonhard">big questions</a> was going to be how the Badgers would replace Leo Musso and Sojourn Shelton. </p>
<p id="D7haNP">Nelson, Tindal, and the rest of the secondary have answered the call in a big way and Ferguson’s ability to step in without Wisconsin losing a beat demonstrates the depth of the unit.</p>
<p id="67bReA"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson">With Wisconsin’s offense so inconsistent week-to-week</a>, the Badgers will continue to look to their ball-hawking secondary to help carry the load.</p>
<p id="Vxdnj0">“I think it’s knowing the defense and trusting it,” Ferguson said when asked how the secondary was able to keep grabbing turnovers. </p>
<p id="ZikSHX">“If you do the right things over and over and over, eventually something good will happen.”</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/29/16564986/wisconsin-football-illinois-nick-nelson-joe-ferguson-derrick-tindalJon Beidelschies2017-10-28T22:47:38-05:002017-10-28T22:47:38-05:00Michael Deiter finds the end zone in Wisconsin’s win
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yU7JgUprPrRW47bJSuSrm7Qdy0Q=/0x80:2791x1941/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57367791/867529164.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Wisconsin’s got a Piesman Trophy candidate, folks!</p> <p id="heiXKS">CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — <span>Michael Deiter</span> admitted after <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiter">Wisconsin’s 24–10 win at Illinois</a> that he had never heard of the Piesman Trophy, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/7/28/9011365/piesman-trophy-rules-faq">“the first award for college linemen who do awesome, rare, un-lineman, things.”</a></p>
<p id="UnNc3Q">After a reporter explained to the redshirt junior what the accolade was, he quickly responded.</p>
<p id="CltKrh">“So I’m in the conversation then?”</p>
<p id="ML79HX">Deiter certainly should be as he hauled in a lateral late in the fourth quarter that turned into a four-yard touchdown run. His late-game score essentially secured a win on the road on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<aside id="bSY2FM"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Grading Wisconsin’s win at Illinois","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="qdEUj8">Wisconsin capitalized on a <span>Joe Ferguson</span> interception and drove 53 yards down the field inside the Illinois five-yard line before being forced into a 3rd-and-Goal.</p>
<p id="Axzbg5">Admittedly, Deiter was nervous—“definitely super nervous”—when the play, and his number, were called.</p>
<p id="ryLucb">“I’ve never had a football thrown to me in a football game,” Deiter said. “I was super scared because if I drop it, it’s a fumble. There’s a ton of stuff running through my head, but I knew that if I caught it, I’d have the whole o-line out in front of me and there was no way I wasn’t scoring. It was a lot of fun.”</p>
<div id="aLEF9r"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWd3qe_g1BE?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="NtNshm">Added on to the nerves was the simple fact Deiter and the UW offense could not simply run the play after it was called in.</p>
<p id="m7VuSR">“I thought the worst part was right when we called it, we had to wait about five minutes for a TV timeout, so I think he might have been a little bit nervous about that,” redshirt sophomore quarterback <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> said. “We all wanted to run it but when he got into the end zone, it was awesome, [we] just went crazy. It was like a dog pile on him.”</p>
<p id="TBZUg4">Candidly, Deiter expressed the extended pause in the game did not subdue that nervousness.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="83bld0"><q>“The nerves just kept getting worse and worse, but it worked out”</q></aside></div>
<p id="XLWBkf">“Yeah, I think that was the longest TV timeout ever, knowing that we were running it and we just couldn’t get the play run,” Deiter said. “It was taking forever with the media so the nerves just kept getting worse and worse, but it worked out.”</p>
<p id="P1cf5A">Once the ball was finally snapped, Hornibrook rolled out right several steps, with the Illinois defense flowing towards the southpaw signal caller. He then spun quickly back towards the left side of the field and threw the backward lateral to Deiter, eluding Illinois defensive end <span>Jamal Woods</span> between them.</p>
<p id="7SBSJY">Though it was officially a four-yard run, Deiter actually caught it on the Illinois 15-yard line, then followed his convoy of fellow linemen and blockers—among them left guard <span>Jon Dietzen</span>, center <span>Tyler Biadasz</span>, and right guard <span>Beau Benzschawel—</span>into the end zone for Wisconsin’s final touchdown of the day.</p>
<p id="H1qKhh">“When it was in the air, everything slowed way down, and then when I caught it, I was kind of surprised I caught it,” Deiter said. “Then I had to evaluate where I was going to run, but I had six guys out in front. It was basically a walk-in, really. All I had to do was sort of run, but then the celebration was a ton of fun. To score a touchdown, it’s not common at all. It was just a ton of fun.”</p>
<p id="l4flsl">After Deiter crossed the goal line near the front-left pylon, that celebration was on. Waving his arms in the air, ball still in his right hand, he ran over to his fellow Badgers. Benzschawel was the first to meet him, appearing to try to lift his fellow redshirt junior into the air as linemen normally do to such lighter wide receivers or running backs.</p>
<p id="LO8HN3">Wide receiver <span>Quintez Cephus</span> also attempted to do so.</p>
<p id="XQtfep">“Yeah, we were trying to do the reverse celebration,” Deiter said, “but it’s hard when you’re trying to lift up a 320-pound guy.”</p>
<div id="dtcizo">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That 8-0 feeling... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnWisconsin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnWisconsin</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Badgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/DHv3wralIt">pic.twitter.com/DHv3wralIt</a></p>— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/924379336538542081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="j7Anjh">Overall, it was <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson">another inconsistent performance</a> by the Wisconsin offense against an inferior Big Ten West division opponent. Without Big Ten-leading rusher <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> for a good portion of the game due to injury and only converting five of 12 third-down conversions, UW was held to 24 points and 303 total yards on the afternoon. Wisconsin came into the game ranked No. 2 in the nation in moving the chains on third downs.</p>
<p id="wKR9yt">This against an Illinois defense ranked among the conference’s worst in third-down conversions allowed (48 percent), points allowed (29.6), and yards allowed (409.4).</p>
<p id="LnNZ70">However, there were some bright spots. The offense did not commit any penalties, while certain players like running back <span>Garrett Groshek</span> and <span>Alec Ingold</span> stepped up with the injures to Taylor and <span>Austin Ramesh</span> by scoring touchdowns for the Badgers. </p>
<p id="YacdFC">The trick play near the goal line resulted in Deiter’s touchdown on an overcast and chilly afternoon. It was as close to being perfectly executed as it could be on an imperfect day.</p>
<p id="nLejc0">“I thought it had a good chance of fitting this week,” head coach Paul Chryst said. “The guys did a good job, it looked good in practice, so if the situation was right, and I thought it was kind of the situation you’re looking to have in something like that. The guys executed. It was good.”</p>
<p id="3G6hw6"><em>B5Q’s Jon Beidelschies contributed to this report</em><em>.</em></p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophyJake Kocorowski2017-10-28T15:53:05-05:002017-10-28T15:53:05-05:00Grading Wisconsin’s win at Illinois
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DGTsslVBIXzOlajBNuJYOyBB0E0=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57366607/867529148.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers ground out a victory on the road.</p> <p id="b1eyBM">CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Well, that was underwhelming.</p>
<p id="fU7qi8">A gray and blustery Midwestern day saw some ugly Big Ten football as Wisconsin went on the road <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiter">to knock off Illinois 24–10</a>. Wisconsin’s offensive woes continued while the Badgers’ defense once again starred against an overmatched opponent. </p>
<p id="x5Lrq3">Here are the unit grades. </p>
<h3 id="G3koGH">Offense: C-</h3>
<p id="pmMztm">We’ve seen this before, right? </p>
<p id="IDwKJY">Sophomore quarterback <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> went 10-of-19 for 135 yards and an interception. He had two third-down conversions dropped—one by <span>A.J. Taylor</span> and one by <span>Kendric Pryor</span>—but once again looked shaky throughout. </p>
<p id="8w2m9k">With freshman running back <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> missing wide stretches of the game with a left leg injury, redshirt freshman running back <span>Garrett Groshek</span> and sophomore <span>Bradrick Shaw</span> picked up the slack on the ground. Groshek finished with 51 yards and a touchdown and looked the stronger of the two backs in relief of Taylor.</p>
<p id="iGKUAj">Junior left tackle <span>Michael Deiter</span> <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy">scored a touchdown</a>. That was pretty rad.</p>
<div id="dCqPOb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN‼️ <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelDeiter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelDeiter</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnWisconsin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnWisconsin</a> <a href="https://t.co/3ceKTVdsv3">pic.twitter.com/3ceKTVdsv3</a></p>— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/924348932624453632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="pMAJzF">Defense: A</h3>
<p id="x8LTBo">The defense held Illinois to 286 total yards on offense. Pressure on oft-changing Illini quarterbacks <span>Cam Thomas</span> and <span>Jeff George, Jr.</span>, was consistent and Wisconsin had five sacks on the day.</p>
<p id="nnSJ5x">Facing a weak Illinois passing game, the secondary made some big plays. Senior cornerback <span>Derrick Tindal</span> intercepted Thomas on Illinois’s first drive. Junior cornerback <span>Nick Nelson</span> led the team with four broken-up passes. Through eight games this season, Nelson has recorded 14 pass break-ups, tying Jamar Fletcher (2000) and Jim Leonhard (2002) for fourth-most in UW history for a single season.</p>
<p id="B5uvZ9">Senior safety <span>Joe Ferguson</span>, getting the start in place of the injured <span>D’Cota Dixon</span>, intercepted Thomas in the fourth quarter as Illinois drove deep into the Wisconsin defensive zone.</p>
<p id="WP27pg">In the second quarter, redshirt sophomore linebacker <span>Tyler Johnson</span> forced a George, Jr., fumble that was recovered by defensive end <span>Alec James</span>, leading to Groshek’s second-quarter touchdown. </p>
<h3 id="u5E03s">Special Teams: B+</h3>
<p id="avhUvz">Junior kicker <span>Rafael Gaglianone</span> closed the second quarter with a 52-yard field goal and made all of his PAT attempts. Sophomore punter <span>Anthony Lotti</span> had a couple of rough kicks into the wind, including a 15-yarder in the first half trying to pin Illinois deep and a third-quarter blooper that netted out to 40 yards on a generous roll. </p>
<h3 id="NRMpn3">Coaching: B</h3>
<p id="MHBtgx">The penalties that have plagued Wisconsin the past few games were blissfully absent.</p>
<p id="Lptmwj">With injuries to the skill positions taking a toll, the offense couldn’t muster much of anything for wide stretches. That said, the backwards “pass” (officially a backward lateral) trick play that led to De<span>i</span>ter’s four-yard touchdown “run” may have been the most entertaining call this season.</p>
<aside id="ZC98kT"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Deiter overcomes nerves, scores unorthodox touchdown in Wisconsin win","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy"}]}'></div></aside><p id="m7oZp6">The defensive game plan kept an equally banged-up (and bizarrely coached) Illinois offense bottled up all game.</p>
<h3 id="HePdUg">Overall: B-</h3>
<p id="LqJSCg">Not much to take away from this one that we didn’t already know. Wisconsin was never really challenged by an inferior opponent.</p>
<p id="azMlS7">The offense sputtered even before Taylor left the game as Illinois stacked the box and dared Wisconsin to throw. The Badgers really couldn’t, which bodes ill now that the schedule turns to some better competition. There is still much to square away if Wisconsin wants to win the Big Ten.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-fergusonJon Beidelschies2017-10-28T15:36:19-05:002017-10-28T15:36:19-05:00Wisconsin stays imperfectly perfect with 24–10 win at Illinois
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R7o-B-DXNimJ0SvLef3sffyeThM=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57366479/867497590.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Quick recap of Saturday’s win in Champaign.</p> <p id="994dnV">CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Perhaps the most accurate way to describe the offensive performances by both the No. 5 <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> and <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> could be by the weather conditions experienced during Saturday’s game.</p>
<p id="KiIh85">Gray, chilly, and most of the time, dismal.</p>
<p id="NMnLfy">However, Wisconsin (8–0, 5–0 Big Ten) held on for the 24–10 win over Illinois (2–6, 0–5) as its defense held the Illini offense to just 286 yards while recording five sacks and forcing three turnovers.</p>
<p id="J0DBnD"><span>Jonathan Taylor</span> ran for 73 yards on 12 carries but appeared to <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/924334260110098432">suffer a left leg injury during the first half </a>and did not return. Wisconsin’s offense gained only 303 total yards and converted five of 12 third downs for the game.</p>
<p id="CrhHra">Afterward, head coach Paul Chryst said there was no update on Taylor’s status.</p>
<aside id="jw9WfH"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Deiter overcomes nerves, scores unorthodox touchdown in Wisconsin win","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16565046/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-michael-deiter-football-piesman-trophy"},{"title":"Grading Wisconsin’s win at Illinois","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16564070/wisconsins-football-illinois-grades-alex-hornibrook-alec-james-joe-ferguson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="gomS6Z">It was a difficult start with two straight three-and-outs for Chryst’s offense. It would have been three straight series, but an illegal substitution on fourth down by Illinois allowed UW to retain possession. </p>
<p id="AA9IFz">The Badgers took advantage of the miscue, however, by continuing a 15-play, 92-yard drive—all but one snap was a pass—with fullback <span>Alec Ingold</span> taking it in from one yard out to put the Badgers up 7–0.</p>
<p id="4lZRPR">Quarterback <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> threw a second-quarter interception into the hands of true freshman <span>Bennett Williams</span>, which then led to the Illini having the ball on UW’s 45-yard line, but Jim Leonhard’s defensive unit held <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/22/16515096/wisconsin-football-highlights-tj-edwards-maryland">yet again in a “sudden change” situation.</a></p>
<p id="bw3Iz8">And yet again, the defense responded.</p>
<p id="1o0sjC">Walk-on outside linebacker <span>Tyler Johnson</span> strip-sacked quarterback <span>Jeff George, Jr.</span>, on a 3rd-and-10, with senior defensive end <span>Alec James</span> recovering at midfield. </p>
<p id="KdSYVq">Fourteen times during the 2017 season the defense has had to take over in those “sudden change” opportunities. Only two touchdowns and three field goals have been allowed.</p>
<p id="fR6zCv">Wisconsin capitalized thereafter, driving down in seven plays for its second touchdown. Walk-on running back <span>Garrett Groshek</span> took it in from two yards out to make it 14–0 Wisconsin.</p>
<p id="uWIPCa">Groshek was utilized often, carrying the ball 12 times for 51 yards.</p>
<p id="BKeIuk">The teams then traded field goals before the end of the half. </p>
<p id="DhiQe2">Illinois drove 65 yards in 13 plays, its second-largest series of the day yardage-wise, capping it with a 28-yard field goal by junior <span>Chase McLaughlin</span>.</p>
<p id="BSlSvd">Wisconsin capped a five-play, 36-yard drive with <span>Rafael Gaglianone’s</span> 52-yard field goal to make it 17-3 at halftime.</p>
<div id="MXEVsI">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rafael Gaglianone just joined Taylor Mehlhaff and Philip Welch in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Badgers</a> record book with three career FGs of 50-plus yards.</p>— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggot) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyBaggot/status/924329033835450369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="6DEozy">After a scoreless third quarter, Illinois drove down to Wisconsin’s 18-yard line with under 10 minutes left in the game, but a holding penalty by <span>Louis Dorsey</span> bumped the Illini back. Safety <span>Joe Ferguson</span>—playing for the injured <span>D’Cota Dixon</span>—then intercepted a <span>Cam Thomas</span> pass and returned it 37 yards the very next play, nullifying any potential scoring opportunity.</p>
<p id="Ioe1je">George, Jr., and Thomas combined to complete nine of 31 passes for 152 yards with two interceptions.</p>
<p id="sqkvTl">Wisconsin then pulled together an eight-play, 57-yard drive, capped by what would officially be a four-yard touchdown “run” off the left side on third down by ... left tackle <span>Michael Deiter</span>. </p>
<p id="DRL4XP"><em>Yes, left tackle </em><em>Michael Deiter</em><em>.</em></p>
<div id="ocZbzJ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN‼️ <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelDeiter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelDeiter</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnWisconsin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnWisconsin</a> <a href="https://t.co/3ceKTVdsv3">pic.twitter.com/3ceKTVdsv3</a></p>— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/924348932624453632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="JH9U1A">Illinois later compiled a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a <span>Kendrick Foster</span> three-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring for the game.</p>
<p id="6vTM7u">Despite the ugly win, Wisconsin moves to 8–0 on the season and will face a challenge from Indiana on the road at Bloomington next week.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563932/wisconsin-football-illinois-recap-score-michael-deiterJake Kocorowski2017-10-28T10:30:02-05:002017-10-28T10:30:02-05:00GAME THREAD: Wisconsin vs. Illinois
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<img alt="Wisconsin v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QlUov8USqY2sOHf2zW8wheczq_M=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57363605/867497590.1509205274.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Join us in the comments!</p> <p id="0HBoRL">Game time!</p>
<p id="n0ylKT">Come join us in the comments as we watch the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> face the <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> down in Champaign, Ill.</p>
<p id="XrLvKo"><a href="https://twitter.com/JakeKocoB5Q">Jake</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/jbei013">Jon</a> made the trip down to Memorial Stadium to cover this one for B5Q, so be sure to follow them on Twitter, as well as the blog’s handle <a href="https://twitter.com/B5Q">@B5Q</a>.</p>
<p id="5ya5Eg">Before the game gets going, check out some of our top posts from the week:</p>
<ul>
<li id="zlM2XZ"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/27/16479454/wisconsin-illinois-2017-tv-schedule-streaming-watch-live-online-odds">How to watch and listen to Wisconsin vs. Illinois</a></li>
<li id="vDfjYs"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/26/16504444/college-football-playoff-predictions-wisconsin-badgers-jonathan-taylor-troy-fumagalli">3 reasons to trust Wisconsin as a playoff contender, and 1 big reason not to</a></li>
<li id="xjS1tO"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/26/16551702/wisconsin-football-chikwe-obasih-injury-cleared-illinois">Chikwe Obasih cleared to play, will travel to Illinois</a></li>
<li id="b5oQuV"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/25/16543034/wisconsin-illinois-football-2017-preview-ricky-smalling-tre-watson">Q&A: What to know about Illinois</a></li>
<li id="UMUVwK"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/25/16520252/college-football-b1g-roast-michigan-rutgers-big-ten-standings">The B1G Roast: Michigan and Rutgers Are Tied in the B1G Standings at the End of October</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/28/16563858/wisconsin-illinois-game-thread-score-updates-jonathan-taylor-alex-hornibrookMike Fiammetta