The Associated Press
No. 25 Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Purdue (3-6, 1-4), Noon EDT (ESPNU)
Line: Wisconsin by 17.
Series Record: Wisconsin leads 43-29-8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Wisconsin finds itself in a pack of four one-loss teams in the Big Ten West. A win Saturday will keep the Badgers in the hunt to reach the conference championship game for the third time in four years. Purdue needs to win out to become bowl-eligible. If the Boilermakers can pull off an upset Saturday, they’ll have a chance with only struggling Northwestern and reeling Indiana left on the schedule.
KEY MATCHUP
Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon vs. Purdue’s run defense. Only three conference teams have allowed more yards rushing than Purdue (174.0) this season, so slowing down Gordon is essential. But it won’t be easy. Gordon is averaging 7.5 yards per carry, 162.0 yards per game and has 18 touchdowns as he makes his case for Heisman Trophy votes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wisconsin: Gordon. Each week, he seems to put another highlight on tape. It could certainly happen again this week. The Badgers’ star is averaging 9.87 yards per carry over his career against Purdue.
Purdue: Akeem Hunt. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound running back has emerged as the Boilermakers’ workhorse. With WR Danny Anthrop out because of a season-ending knee injury, Purdue needs Hunt to come up big one more time.
FACTS & FIGURES
Wisconsin has three straight wins overall, five in a row at West Lafayette and eight straight over the Boilermakers. … The Badgers’ defense leads the nation in yards allowed per game (253.8) and is No. 3 in points allowed (14.1). … Gordon has rushed for at least 100 yards in six straight games. … The Badgers have allowed 68 plays of 10 or more yards this season, the lowest total in the nation. … Wisconsin has won 11 straight when kickoff is at noon ET. … Purdue returns home for the first time since Oct. 11. … The Boilermakers have already faced three of the top seven runners based on yards per carry. Gordon, who is second, will join the list this weekend. … Purdue RB Mostert needs 78 all-purpose yards to reach the 3,000-yard mark.
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