Wisconsin at Illinois

Posted November 17, 2011 11:00 pm

Wisconsin (8-2, 4-2) at Illinois (6-4, 2-4)

When: 11 a.m. at Memorial StadiumTV: ESPN2Radio: 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#146;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#146;s best defensive player. He has 12.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.The skinny: When Wisconsin wins, it wins big. The Badgers#146; 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#146;s Colt Brennan in 2006. #8212; Mike McGraw

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