Nebraska @ Wisconsin preview

THE STORY: The Big Ten opener between No. 8 Nebraska and No. 7 Wisconsin could be a possible preview of the inaugural conference championship game in December. The unbeaten Huskers are playing their first league game since joining the Big Ten and will be up against a Badgers squad that has won its four games by a combined 194-34. Wisconsin, led by all-everything quarterback Russell Wilson, has scored at least 35 points in each game. This matchup is the first between a pair of Top 10 teams in Madison since 1962.

TV: ABC. LINE: Wisconsin -9

ABOUT NEBRASKA (4-0, 0-0 Big Ten): Nebraska, the Big Ten’s top rushing team, eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the second consecutive game in its 38-14 victory over Wyoming last week. But this will be the Huskers’ first real test of the season, and a win would go a long way toward helping them re-establish some big-game credibility. The Huskers lost two games against ranked opponents late in 2010 - against No. 18 Texas A&M and No. 10 Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game - before falling to Washington 19-7 in the Holiday Bowl. Nebraska has scored 30 or more points in all four of its games. Nebraska leads the all-time series 3-2, but the teams haven’t met since 1974, when Wisconsin won 21-20.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-0, 0-0): The Badgers were ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll and have moved up at least one spot in the rankings each week except this one. A win over Nebraska, however, would likely put them in the top five for the first time since being ranked fourth prior to last year’s Rose Bowl loss to TCU. Wisconsin ranks eighth in total offense (532.3 yards per game), sixth in points (48.5) and seventh in total defense (246.5), but has done it against four teams that are a combined 5-10 this season. The Badgers have won 12 straight home games and haven’t lost at Camp Randall Stadium since a 20-10 setback against Iowa in 2009.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The last time Wisconsin faced a ranked opponent at home was last season against top-ranked Ohio State. The Badgers defeated the Buckeyes 31-18.

2. Wisconsin has won 11 straight regular season games, its longest streak since winning 13 in a row in coach Bret Bielema’s first two seasons in 2006 and 2007.

3. Nebraska has won 34 of 36 conference-opening games since 1975.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 34, Nebraska 27 - The Huskers will provide Wisconsin with its biggest challenge, but the Badgers’ balanced offensive attack should do just enough to get the win.