Purdue @ Wisconsin preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Wisconsin 34, Purdue 13

THE STORY: No. 17 Wisconsin limps back to Madison after suffering back-to-back last-second losses at Michigan State and Ohio State. The Badgers' defense buckled in those defeats, giving up a total of 70 points after allowing just 58 through the first six games. Purdue has a taste for upsets, stunning Illinois two weeks ago. The Boilermakers, who are 0-3 on the road and have alternated wins and losses, have lost their last five games versus Wisconsin, getting outscored 146-53 over those contests.

TV: ABC. LINE: Wisconsin -25

ABOUT PURDUE (4-4, 2-2 Big Ten): Purdue struggled to contain Michigan's Denard Robinson in last week’s 36-14 loss to the Wolverines. It allowed the dual-threat QB 223 total yards and now faces another dynamic quarterback in Russell Wilson. The Boilermakers' offense was limited in action, getting just over 23 minutes with the football. They failed to rush for more than 100 yards for only the second time this season, but plan to lean on the run to control the clock versus the Badgers. Coach Danny Hope is expected to continue alternating between quarterbacks Caleb TerBush and Robert Marve.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten): Defense has been Wisconsin’s downfall lately. The Badgers gave up 357 yards to OSU, getting outdone on the ground 268 yards to 89 yards – the Badgers’ lowest rushing output this season. However, on a positive note, Wisconsin showed grit down the stretch, especially Wilson, who passed for 253 yards and threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, as well as a successful two-point conversion. He leads the Big Ten in passing with 254.1 yards per outing and touchdown passes with 19.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin leads the all-time series versus Purdue 42-14, outscoring the Boilermakers 1,545-1,371 dating back to 1892.

2. Purdue has dropped 13 straight road contests versus Top-25 opponents. Its last road win over a ranked foe came against Wisconsin in 2003.

3. Boilermakers defensive end Ryan Russell is questionable for Saturday while backup Robert Maci is out for the year after foot surgery. That could leave inexperienced senior Adam Brockman as the starter against perhaps the best offensive line in the nation.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 37, Purdue 14 – The Badgers, able to hurt the Boilermakers in too many ways, snap their two-game skid.