Wisconsin and Nebraska are both aiming to gain bowl eligibility and end their losing streaks

On By Pranco

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

Bowl qualification goes to the winner. Wisconsin is looking to extend its bowl streak to 22 seasons, the third-longest in the country. Nebraska has lost four in a row after a 5-1 start and is looking to go to a bowl for the first time since 2016, the longest drought in the Power Four. The Badgers, losers of three straight games, have achieved bowl qualification the past two years with wins over Nebraska.

KEY MATCHUP

Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola vs. Wisconsin passing defense. Raiola is playing his second game with new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen as play-caller. The freshman has struggled against Big Ten opponents. He has thrown just three touchdown passes and has been intercepted eight times in the past six games. Wisconsin has one of the best pass defenses in the conference and has allowed just three TD passes in six games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wisconsin: QB Braedyn Locke, like Raiola, has struggled and will have a new offensive coordinator following the firing of Phil Longo. The Badgers have scored a total of 33 points during their three-game losing streak, with Locke completing 49.4% of his passes (49 of 99) with two TDs and four interceptions.

Nebraska: Sixth-year DE Ty Robinson will have to be his best in his final home game against a Wisconsin offensive line that has allowed just 11 sacks. He is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the Big Ten, with 10 tackles for loss and six sacks.

FACTS & FIGURES

Wisconsin has won 10 consecutive meetings with Nebraska, including all nine since the Freedom Trophy was introduced in 2014. The Badgers are 11-1 against Nebraska since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2011. …Nebraska is 0-8 under second place. year coach Matt Rhule as he tried to win a sixth match to qualify for bowling. … Badgers have allowed just two plays of more than 40 yards, tied for Ohio State’s fewest in the country. … Wisconsin’s Tawee Walker is averaging 97.3 rushing yards per game in his six Big Ten starts.