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Wisconsin-Iowa Preview Capsule

No. 10 Wisconsin (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) at Iowa (5-2, 3-1), noon (ESPN).

Line: Wisconsin by 3ˆ½.

Series Record: Wisconsin leads 44-43-2.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Quite possibly the Big Ten West title. The winner of the last two meetings between these teams has won the division - and Wisconsin is likely out of the race with a loss. For all its struggles, Iowa is just a half game behind unbeaten Nebraska in the West.

KEY MATCHUP

Wisconsin RB Corey Clement vs. Iowa's rush defense. Clement had a season-high 164 yards rushing in last week's loss to No. 2 Ohio State. The Hawkeyes have been much better against the run of late, but Clement is the best back they've faced all year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wisconsin: QB Alex Hornibrook. Iowa's secondary is led by CB Desmond King, who is arguably the best defensive back in the country. If Hornibrook can't make the Hawkeyes respect his arm, Iowa can stack the box to stop the run.

Iowa: RB Akrum Wadley. With TE George Kittle likely joining injured WR Matt VandeBerg on the sidelines, Iowa has few options in the passing game. Wadley is the Hawkeyes biggest playmaker, and they'll probably need a few big runs to get past the Badgers.

FACTS & FIGURES

Wisconsin has won its last three meetings with Iowa in Iowa City. But Iowa beat the Badgers 10-6 in Madison last year as part of a 12-0 regular season. ...The Hawkeyes have won their last six trophy games, while the Badgers have taken 11 of their last 12. Wisconsin's only loss in a trophy matchup during that stretch came when the Hawkeyes captured the Heartland Trophy a year ago. ...Wisconsin has won 37 of its last 50 Big Ten games - and each of those 13 losses came by seven points or fewer. ...QB C.J. Beathard is 18-4 as a starter for Iowa. That's the second-best percentage for the Hawkeyes since 1954.

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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