Wisconsin @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2013 ) Purdue 10, Wisconsin 41

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Wisconsin defense after replacing seven starters, but the Badgers feature one of the nation’s top units as they travel to face Purdue on Saturday. The Badgers, who are locked in a three-way tie for second place in the Big Ten West Division, have allowed one touchdown in their last two games. “I think it’s so important that they speak the same language and then you can get 11 guys on the same page,” Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen told reporters. “And it doesn’t have to necessarily be 11 NFL players at this level to be a very good defense, but it does have to be 11 good football players or however many kids are running through it.”

Meanwhile, Purdue’s focus is winning its remaining three games and positioning itself for a bowl berth with contests against Northwestern and in-state rival Indiana following Wisconsin. The Boilermakers, though, have dropped their last three games, including a 35-14 loss at Nebraska last week, but coach Darrell Hazell said the objective remains a strong finish to the season. “That fuels those guys, especially those 17 seniors that sit in the front of the room,” Hazell told reporters. “They understand they only have two opportunities to play left (at home) and that’s very important to them. They’re going to make every opportunity count.”

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Wisconsin -16

ABOUT WISCONSIN (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten): The offense revolves around running back Melvin Gordon, who has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the last six games, so the play of quarterback Joel Stave is often overlooked. The Badgers are 3-0 with Stave as the starter and the offense averages 477 yards - fourth-best in the Big Ten. The Badgers’ run defense is so dominant, five of their last seven opponents have been held to less than 100 yards and only three players have recorded 100 yards in the last two seasons.

ABOUT PURDUE (3-6, 1-4): Without the services of Danny Anthrop and B.J. Knauf, the receiving corps needs players such as Cameron Posey and Trae Hart to step up. To take pressure off the passing game, running back Akeem Hunt, who rushed for 66 yards in the loss to Nebraska, will likely see more carries. The run defense allows 174.3 yards per game (11th in the conference), which makes containing Gordon a huge challenge.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin has the country’s No. 1 defense in terms of yards allowed (253.8 per game) and ranks No. 3 nationally in scoring defense (14.1 points per game).

2. The Boilermakers play at home for the first time since Oct. 11, when they fell to Michigan State.

3. With 19 total touchdowns, Gordon ranks No. 2 nationally in scoring at 14.3 points per game, trailing only Western Michigan running back Jarvion Franklin (14.7).

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 44, Purdue 7