5 things to know: Badgers host Michigan on Friday night

Wisconsin

6-5-2

Michigan

9-2-1

Game Coverage

Friday, Oct. 19 | 7 pm Madison, Wis.

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MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin (6-5-2, 3-2 Big Ten) will welcome Michigan (9-2-1, 3-1-1 Big Ten) to the McClimon Complex on Friday night for a top-four showdown in the Big Ten conference.

1. Weekend review: The Badgers suffered a tough loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday afternoon in University Park, Pennsylvania. It took about 75 minutes for the Badgers defense to show any signs of weakness and PSU capitalized on the slip-up with a goal to take the match, 1-0.

2.  Cowdroy the colossus: A large part of Wisconsin's great success in garnering a five-game unbeaten streak came at the hands of junior goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy. A Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week winner allowed five goals in Wisconsin's past six games, earning a .8333 goals-against average.

3.  What's up with the Wolverines? Michigan is 9-2-1 on the season and is third in the Big Ten Conference with 3-1-1 record and a .700 conference winning percentage. However, the Wolverines are 54th in the RPI, while Wisconsin are ranked 42nd in the RPI.

4. We've got history: Wisconsin trails the all-time series 7-14-4 to Michigan but snapped a five-game winless streak to the Badgers with a 2-1 overtime victory in 2016. Last season, Wisconsin got sweet revenge with a hefty 4-0 victory in the Big Ten tournament.

5. Looking ahead: It has gotten to the point in the season when the postseason looms in the near distance. After a road battle on Oct. 24 at Northwestern, the Badgers wrap up the regular season at home against Ohio State on Oct. 28. The Badgers will get a week off afterwards to prepare for the Big Ten tournament that begins on Sunday, Nov. 4.

University of Wisconsin Athletics