Wisconsin (8-2, 4-2) at Illinois (6-4, 2-4)
When: 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WIND 560-AM.
Series: Illinois leads 36-34-7; Wisconsin won last meeting 27-17 in 2008.
Coaches: Ron Zook (34-49, seventh year at UI); Bret Bielema (57-18, fifth year at Wisconsin).
Players to watch: Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson has already broken, or is about to break the school’s single-season records in passing touchdowns, total offense and efficiency rating. RB Montee Ball leads the nation with 27 touchdowns, a Big Ten record, and has run for 1,242 yards, fourth-best in the country. ... Illini DL Whitney Mercilus was named one of five finalists for the Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player. He has 12.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.
The skinny: When Wisconsin wins, it wins big. The Badgers’ eight victories have been by an average of 39.6 points. By beating the Illini, Wisconsin would set up a one-game showdown for the Leaders Division title next week against Penn State in Madison. Strength of schedule seems to have caught up with Illinois. After a 6-0 start, the Illini have dropped four straight, and the offense has averaged just 10.5 points during the losing streak.
Fast fact: Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson currently has a pass efficiency rating of 201.58. The NCAA record is 186.0, set by Hawaii’s Colt Brennan in 2006.
— Mike McGraw
