Five Things to Know: Wisconsin vs. Iowa
October 22, 2016 | Football, Andy Baggot
Notes on the competitive Heartland Trophy rivalry heading into Saturday’s West Division matchup
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — No. 10 Wisconsin travels west Saturday to start Big Ten West Division play against Iowa and the battle for the Heartland Trophy. Here are five things you should know about the Badgers' matchup with the Hawkeyes:
IN THEIR DEFENSE
The Badgers are averaging 25.5 points a game, which ranks 90th among the 128 Football Bowl Subdivision programs and is on pace to be their lowest ratio since 2004 (20.8). There are several explanations for that development, but one stands out. LSU, Ohio State and Michigan have allowed the fewest offensive touchdowns in the FBS this season — six, six and seven, respectively — and Wisconsin has faced all three. Fourth on that list? The Badgers, with eight offensive TDs surrendered. In other words, the unit the UW offense faces every day in practice.
IS IT HABIT FORMING?
Wisconsin has gone 21 straight games without back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, which seems odd given its recent history of top tailbacks. Senior Corey Clement is in position to do something about it after equaling a career high with 164 rushing yards versus Ohio State last week. Another 100-yard day against the Hawkeyes would take us back to the end of the 2014 regular season when Melvin Gordon had a run of 10 consecutive outings with 100 or more. Incidentally, Clement hasn't had back-to-back 100-yard efforts since the first two games of his freshman season in 2013.
RANKING RARITY
Despite losing consecutive games for the first time since 2012, the No. 10 Badgers still find themselves in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll. Thanks to research by CollegePollArchive.com, we now know how rare that is. Since the AP ranking was introduced in 1934, six other schools have suffered back-to-back setbacks and not fallen out of the top 10: Northwestern in 1943 and '59; Michigan State in 1961; Texas in 1965; Florida State in 1991; and Florida in 1999. The only ones to finish the season in the top 10 were Northwestern (ninth in '43), Michigan State (eighth) and Florida State (fourth).
STRANGE SERIES, INDEED
The Wisconsin-Iowa series is the closest among all Big Ten Conference schools — the Badgers have the edge, 44-43-2 — and the last 10 meetings define this highly competitive, sometimes peculiar trend. Both teams have won five times. Both clubs have losing records at home. Five of the contests have been decided by four points or less. The club leading at halftime has lost four times. The higher ranked outfit has lost three times.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
During the Paul Chryst coaching era, the Badgers have lost five of 19 games, with the average margin of defeat of 8.4 points. Not to dwell on the negative, but think about those setbacks. Wisconsin fell to Ohio State (now 6-0) 30-23 in overtime; Michigan (now 6-0) 14-7 on the road; and looking at last season, Northwestern (finished 10-3) 13-7 in a controversial finish; Iowa (finished 12-2) 10-6; and Alabama (finished 14-1 and won the College Football Playoff title) 35-17.
