Wisconsin @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2011 ) Indiana 7, Wisconsin 59

The stakes are high in the Big Ten Leaders Division on Saturday as Indiana hosts Wisconsin, which has dominated the Hoosiers over the last few years. With a win, the Badgers can clinch the division title and a spot in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 1 in Indianapolis, while Indiana can claim the division crown and a title game berth if it beats Wisconsin and defeats Penn State and Purdue on the road to finish the season. Wisconsin, which has won seven straight over Indiana since last losing to the Hoosiers in 2002, has averaged almost 51 points per game during that streak while allowing only 17. On their way to consecutive Big Ten titles, The Badgers have throttled the Hoosiers the past two years in Madison to the tune of 83-20 in 2010 and 59-7 last year.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Wisconsin -7

ABOUT WISCONSIN (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten): The Badgers have lost all three of their games by three points, including road contests at nationally ranked Oregon State and Nebraska. Preseason Heisman candidate Montee Ball, who has battled injuries most of the season, is happy to see Indiana on the schedule. Ball has averaged 141.3 yards rushing and has scored eight touchdowns while compiling three straight 100-yard games against the Hoosiers. Ball needs one touchdown to tie and two to pass former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams of Texas for second on the all-time touchdown list. Ball, who has 74 in his career, needs five to break the all-time NCAA record of 78 held by former Miami (Ohio) running back Travis Prentice. The Badgers have held six of their nine opponents to less than 20 points, including four straight in Big Ten play. Under seventh-year coach Bret Bielema, Wisconsin is 17-3 in the month of November.

ABOUT INDIANA (4-5, 2-3): The Hoosiers have won back-to-back Big Ten games (Illinois and Iowa) for the first time since 2007 and a win over Wisconsin would give Indiana its first three-game winning streak in conference play since 1993. Indiana leads the league in passing offense (299.9), ranks second in total offense (446.7) and third in scoring offense (33.1). In last week's win over Iowa, quarterback Cameron Coffman completed 21 of 33 passes for a career-high 315 yards and three touchdowns, all to wide receiver Cody Latimer, who earned co-Big Ten Player of the Week honors after hauling in seven passes for 113 yards and the three touchdowns. Defensively, Indiana has allowed 17 points over the last 102-plus minutes of game action, spanning almost two contests. Adam Replogle and Larry Black Jr. share the conference lead among defensive tackles with four sacks and nine total tackles for loss.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin, coming off an open date following a 16-13 home overtime loss to Michigan State, has won its last four regular season games after a week off since 2009. In that four-game streak, the Badgers have outscored their opponents 181-30.

2. The Badgers are fifth in the nation in fewest penalties, averaging 3.8 per game. Wisconsin has committed only four total in its last two games.

3. The Hoosiers have scored at least 24 points in every game this year and in 10 straight overall dating back to 2011, a school record.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 34, Indiana 27