Four things to watch
CAN UW’S OFFENSE FIND THE END ZONE?
UW has scored one touchdown in the last two games, losses to Northwestern and Indiana. Graham Mertz’s 49-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike came on UW’s 13th offensive play in the 17-7 loss to Northwestern. The offense got 69 more plays after the score and was shut out. UW ran 69 plays in the 14-6 loss to Indiana and managed only two field goals. Add it up and UW’s offense hasn’t reached the end zone for 138 consecutive plays. Iowa has not allowed more than 24 points in the last 21 games, the longest streak in the nation among Power 5 teams.
UW SET TO FACE FEARSOME FOURSOME:
UW’s players and coaches didn’t mince words this week. In their view, Iowa’s defensive front is the best the Badgers have faced so far this season. The playmakers are tackle Daviyon Nixon and ends Chauncey Golston and Zach VanValkenberg. Nixon is a graduate of Indian Trail High School in Kenosha who attended Iowa Western Community College before signing with the Hawkeyes. He has 5 1⁄2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss and returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown against Penn State. Golston has 4 1⁄2 sacks and 7 1⁄2 tackles for loss and VanValkenberg has 3 1⁄2 sacks and 8 1⁄2 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries. “They’re playing really well,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “And disruptive is an accurate term. I think it is, in our opinion going into this game, probably the best front that we’ve seen. Good combination of strength and power. And production. That is what jumps out at you.”
PROTECT THE FOOTBALL:
Iowa has 10 interceptions this season, the No. 3 mark in the Big Ten behind Indiana (17) and Northwestern (12). The Hawkeyes have 63 interceptions since 2017, the most by any team in the country. Mertz didn’t throw an interception in his first two starts (43 total passes). He has four interceptions and two lost fumbles in his last two starts. Mertz and his teammates must protect the ball against Iowa’s defense.
MAKE IOWA’S PETRAS UNCOMFORTABLE:
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras entered the season with 11 passes attempted. His play was so-so in the first two weeks, losses to Purdue and Northwestern, but the sophomore has settled in. Petras during Iowa’s five-game winning streak has completed 78 of 131 attempts (59.5%) for 877 yards, with six touchdowns and two interceptions. He has been sacked seven times in those games, including three at Penn State and two at Illinois. If the Badgers can slow Iowa’s ground game and put the Hawkeyes in obvious passing situations they might be able to get Petras out of his comfort zone.