Inside the Numbers: Wisconsin Badgers at Indiana Hoosiers

By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)

Now riding a four game losing streak, the Hoosiers will need to win three of their last four games if they look to go back to a bowl game for the third straight season. That quest won't be easy as they return home after two weeks on the road to host the #4 team in the nation in the 8-0 Wisconsin Badgers. It’s time for our weekly dive into the stats in Inside the Numbers.

22.1 - Wisconsin has made a habit out of dominating their opponents this season, winning by an average of over 22 points per game. Their closest contest was an eight point victory at home against Purdue. This Wisconsin team strikes when they smell blood in the water and with the Hoosiers inconsistent offense they can’t afford to fall behind in this one. Otherwise the Badgers will make short work of Indiana this Saturday.

7.4 - Already well over 1,000 yards on the season, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor is averaging a staggering 7.4 yards per carry to amount to nearly 150 rushing yards per game. Not only that, but as a team Wisconsin averages nearly 250 rushing yards per game. Indiana has one of the worst run defenses in the Big Ten and were run all over by Ty Johnson and company against Maryland. If they can’t find ways to slow down Taylor and limit his big chunk plays, it’ll allow Wisconsin’s mundane pass offense, 9th in the conference, to open up as well and go after a wounded Hoosier secondary.

10+ - It didn’t matter if it was Peyton Ramsey or Richard Lagow, Indiana’s receivers had a great performance on Saturday. The Hoosiers showed their full array of weapons with Simme Cobbs, Whop Philyor and Luke Timian all having double digit catches, the first time that has happened in program history. Wisconsin has a stingy pass defense, but if IU can show they have weapons across the board and that they just can’t key in on Cobbs, they’ll give themselves a better chance to move the ball Saturday even if the run game continues to struggle.

3rd - Third down is always going to be a key and this week is no exception. Something will have to give this weekend as Wisconsin is the best in the Big Ten converting over 53 percent of the time while Indiana’s defense only allows teams to convert just over 30 percent of the time. Indiana’s defense will likely be responsible for keeping Indiana in the game unlike last week and third down defense will be a big determining factor in that.

9 - Indiana faced a couple droughts coming into the season against teams like Ohio State and Michigan and while this one isn’t quite as lone it’s notable enough. The Hoosiers have dropped their last nine games against Wisconsin and they’ve been well, less than competitive. Wisconsin has won the last four meetings by a combined 211 points including an 83-20 loss back in 2010. People are getting tired of hearing it and rightfully so, but this is another game that would unequivocally be looked at as a breakthrough win.