BY MATT LEPAY
Voice of the Badgers

MADISON, Wis. — In the radio booth before last Saturday's football game with Illinois, Mark Tauscher asked me whether Iowa had a shot to beat Michigan. Using my wisdom from more than 30 years covering college football, I told him I just didn't see it. Michigan is rolling, and it has been a tough season for Iowa.

So much for my alleged wisdom.

There are two weeks remaining in the regular season, plus the conference championship games, so any number of scenarios remain in play. However, for those who enjoy chaos, these might be happy days.

For the Badgers, the formula is simple. Win this week at Purdue. Hold serve in the final home game of the year against Minnesota. Do that, and it is "Hello Indianapolis" for the fourth time in the six-year existence of the Big Ten title game.

In the East Division, and perhaps in the College Football Playoff rankings, it might be a different story. Michigan's loss sets up the potential for quite the plot twist. If Ohio State wins out, including next week against the Wolverines, and Penn State handles Rutgers and Michigan State, the Nittany Lions will advance to the conference championship game.

Why? Because Penn State and OSU would tie for the division lead. Since PSU won the head-to-head matchup, James Franklin's team gets the tie-breaker.

What would the committee do with the Buckeyes? Conference titles are said to carry a lot of weight, but there is the possibility that a team many consider Top-4 worthy will fall short of winning its own division.

Oh, my.

Of course, if Michigan wins out, the Wolverines would have the tie-breaker with Penn State. Jim Harbaugh's group dismantled Penn State earlier this season.

It is only natural for fans to wonder how this might affect the Badgers. If they get to Indy, does it matter who they play for the title? Would a matchup with Penn State hurt Wisconsin's chances of making the College Football Playoff?

It is natural to wonder, but it is just the kind of noise Paul Chryst and his players have done an excellent job of ignoring to this point of the season.

Time and again, they have stated their margin for error is small. Even after running over the Illini last weekend. A grounded team had a great ground game against Illinois. No doubt the Badgers would love to do more of the same this Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue is a program in transition. Under interim coach Gerad Parker, the Boilermakers can hang tough for a half. At intermission, they led Nebraska and Minnesota, and were tied with Penn State. Last week against Northwestern, they trailed by just four. In the second half, the game slips away.

I doubt anyone associated with Purdue is looking to win a Try Hard Trophy, but anyone who has watched sports knows a team can simply fold when a season spirals out of control. The Boilers keep punching until there is nothing left to give.

Which is why the Badgers must do what they have done all year — respect the opponent and respect the game. They rarely commit a penalty. In the last two games, they have avoided turnovers. The running game continues to improve. The defense remains elite.

If that combination continues, the Badgers should have every chance to make this season special. However, if there is a slip up in the formula, they become vulnerable in a hurry.

Just like every other program in college football. Including three of the top four teams in last week's rankings.

It makes for a fun November, doesn't it?