No. 2 Indiana hosts Wisconsin trying to keep perfect season intact

Jeff Hauser

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No. 2 Indiana hosts Wisconsin trying to keep perfect season intact image

No. 2 Indiana looks to keep its perfect season intact Saturday when it hosts Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup that features one of the nation’s most explosive offenses against one of its most struggling units.

The Hoosiers (10-0) needed a late touchdown grab from Omar Cooper Jr. To escape Penn State last weekend, their closest contest of the year, but still enter as a heavy favorite. Oddsmakers opened Wisconsin (3-6) as a 30.5-point underdog, a number that has dipped slightly but the challenge ahead for the Badgers is a tall order.

Indiana brings one of the top statistical profiles in college football. The Hoosiers rank fifth nationally in total offense (487.0 yards per game) and lead the FBS in scoring at 44.5 points. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has thrown 26 touchdowns with a 71.3% completion rate, while Roman Hemby and Cooper headline a balanced attack. Defensively, Indiana is equally dominant, allowing just 12.1 points per game, which is second best in the country.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, snapped a six-game losing streak with a 13-10 win over Washington, its first Big Ten victory in more than a year. But the Badgers’ offensive struggles remain glaring. Wisconsin ranks 135th in total offense and has scored more than 20 points only once since September. Its lone touchdown last week came off a short field created by a Mason Posa strip sack.

For the Badgers to hang close, their defense will have to replicate last week’s effort. Wisconsin ranks 41st nationally in total defense and has shown it can limit explosive plays, but faces an Indiana team that has topped 50 points five times.

Indiana also holds major advantages in turnovers, red zone efficiency, third-down defense and time of possession.

Kickoff is set for Saturday at Noon ET on BTN.

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