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No. 6 Wisconsin eyeing division title during trip to Purdue

No. 6 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten, No. 7 CFP) at Purdue (3-7, 1-6), Noon (ABC)

Line: Wisconsin by 28.

Series Record: Wisconsin leads 46-29-8.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Badgers are closing in on their fourth division crown in six years - and can book a ticket to Indianapolis with a win and losses by Minnesota and Nebraska this weekend. Purdue interim coach Gerad Parker was hoping his audition might lead to the dropping of the interim tag. Instead, Parker is 0-4 since replacing the fired Darrell Hazell.

KEY MATCHUP

The Badgers' offense vs. the Boilermakers' offense in the second half. Wisconsin runs the ball and wears down opponents. That's a perfect combination against Purdue, which has been outscored 114-17 in the second half of its last four games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wisconsin: LB T.J. Watt. His seven sacks are No. 3 in the conference and he's been a key cog in a stingy defense that ranks among the national leaders in points allowed and total yards allowed. This week, against a team allowing 2.1 sacks per game, expect Watt to have an even bigger impact than usual.

Purdue: QB David Blough. At times, Blough has looked like the next big thing at the Cradle of Quarterbacks. At other times, he has flat out struggled. Blough already has thrown a league-high 16 interceptions and now faces a team that picked off four passes last week.

FACTS & FIGURES

All five Big Ten championship games have featured either Michigan State or Wisconsin. ... The Badgers have won 10 straight in the series, the longest streak for either team. Wisconsin's last loss to Purdue came in 2003, and the Badgers have won nine straight regular-season games in Indiana. ... Each of Purdue's four losses under Parker has been by double digits. ... Wisconsin is No. 3 in the conference with 14 interceptions this season and stopped Illinois on all nine third-down plays last week. ... Purdue is 0-15 in November games over the last four seasons.

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AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org

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