Wisconsin football vs Iowa: Game details, four storylines to watch Saturday against the Hawkeyes
Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2) vs. Iowa (3-2, 1-1)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday Oct. 11.
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison.
TV: FS1 with Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analysis).
Radio: FM-97.3 and AM-920 in Milwaukee and the state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play)oach, Mark Tauscher (analysis) and Patrick Herb (sideline).
Line: Iowa is 3-point favorite.
Series: Wisconsin leads the series, 49-47-2. The Badgers are 29-20-1 against the Hawkeyes at home.
Coaches: Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell (15-16, third season; 78-41, 10th season overall) vs. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (207-126, 27th season).
Wisconsin Badgers: Roster || Statistics || Depth chart
Iowa Hawkeyes: Roster || Statistics || Depth chart
FOUR STORYLINES TO WATCH
Badgers must clean up their special teams
Wisconsin had a punt blocked against Maryland that led to a touchdown and one deflected against Michigan that led to a field goal. History tells us the special teams units will play a key role in this matchup. Jobs 1 and 2 for the Badgers this week will be cleaning up the issues with punt protection and containing Iowa grad student Kaden Wetjen, who ranks first in the nation in punt return average (31.5 yards per return) and second in kickoff return average (35.5).
Wisconsin needs to break out of its turnover funk
The Badgers’ defense hasn’t forced a turnover during its three-game losing streak, but it did force two fumbles against Michigan that were recovered by the Wolverines. Consider that progress. Maybe the unit will take the next step this week and create one or two takeaways. Iowa has won the turnover battle the past three meetings, Last year the Hawkeyes turned two Braedyn Locke interceptions into touchdowns.
Can Wisconsin meet the physical challenge Iowa will present?
Losing to Iowa is bad enough for the Badgers. What made the game sting even more last season was the way it happened. Iowa ran for 329 yards, the most allowed by the Badgers to a Big Ten opponent since Minnesota ran for 411 in 2005.The beating stuck with the UW players during the offseason. This week they can do something about it. Wil they?
How much better will Hunter Simmons be?
While Ferentz sounds optimistic about quarterback Mark Gronowski (left knee) playing, there has been no word from Fickell about Billy Edwards. If it comes down to it, another game with Hunter Simmons will be intriguing to watch. For a guy who started just three games at FCS Southern Illinois, he was remarkably poised at Michigan. Can he maintain that cool against the nation’s 12-ranked defense?
