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GAME NOTES: In what certainly appears to be a mismatch, the fourth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers welcome the struggling Indiana Hoosiers to Madison for a Big Ten Conference bout on Saturday.

During his tenure as an assistant coach at Oklahoma from 2002-10, Kevin Wilson experienced far more wins than losses. Unfortunately, his first season as head coach at Indiana has been disappointing to date. The Hoosiers are just 1-5, and their only win came over an FCS opponent. Each of the last three outings have resulted in defeat, including last weekend's 41-20 setback at home to Illinois.

"Offensively that was two weeks in a row with one touchdown at the end in the fourth quarter," said Wilson. "I think our defense is battling, but still we're putting way too much stress on them. Good team, tough loss, same story."

As for mighty Wisconsin, it has had two weeks to prepare for this game. After rolling through four mediocre or weak opponents to open the campaign, the Badgers faced their toughest test on October 1 against Nebraska. What ensued was undeniably impressive, as Bret Bielema's club crushed the Huskers by a 48-17 final.

"It was really a fun week to be head coach at the University of Wisconsin," said Bielema after the win. "Our players, I think, embraced the week and the chance to be on the national stage. I threw it out to our guys Friday night. You know this week I've heard about a big game, a big stage, all of these big things. All we have is a big opportunity and what are we going to do with it. I think they answered the best."

In regard to the all-time series between these two programs, Wisconsin holds a commanding 37-18-2 advantage, which includes six straight wins over the Hoosiers.

Against Illinois last week, Dusty Kiel got the start under center for Indiana, as Edward Wright-Baker was forced to sit out with an ankle injury. Kiel clearly struggled under center, connecting on just 6-of-19 passes for 71 yards. That opened the door for Tre Roberson, who made some things happen with his arm and his feet. Still, expect Wright-Baker to be back under center this weekend. He will have to carry the load, especially considering that the team's weak ground attack managed just 83 yards on 42 carries last week.

"When you're a one-dimensional team, even if you're really, really, really good, you are going to struggle in pass protection," said Wilson, whose team was force to abandon the run. "When you're playing young guys who are not as good as you want, you're going to struggle more. I don't know if we lost the game because of sacks as much as they were going to pressure us. But Wisconsin will do the same deal as will the other teams."

Indiana is posting 23.3 ppg and 368.8 total ypg, respectable numbers despite the fact that the club is running for only 3.1 yards per attempt. Wright-Baker has completed 62 percent of his passes for 925 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions, and his numbers would be better if there was more talent at the RB and WR positions.

The Indiana defense permitted 518 total yards to Illinois last week, including over 300 rushing yards. Overall this season, opponents are putting up 27.2 ppg and 421.5 total ypg against the Hoosiers, who clearly have room for improvement against both the run (210 ypg) and the pass (13.8 ypr).

That defense will have its hands full this weekend with Russell Wilson, the star quarterback of Wisconsin. Wilson, who previously starred for the NC State Wolfpack, is certainly making the most of his only season under center in Madison, as he has completed 74.8 percent of his passes for 1,391 yards and 13 touchdowns with one interception. As a runner, has posted another 140 yards and three scores. Montee Ball has already run for 13 touchdowns, and Nick Toon leads the receivers with 25 catches for 447 yards and six scores. The Badgers are racking up 48.4 ppg and 523.0 total ypg.

The Wisconsin defense has been every bit as impressive as the team's offense thus far, as the Badgers are yielding only 10.2 ppg and 264.2 total ypg. They are permitting just 103.2 rushing ypg at a clip of 3.1 ypc, and they are allowing only 9.7 yards per pass completion. With 12 sacks and five interceptions, the UW defense has made its fair share of big plays. Mike Taylor leads the club with 44 total tackles, and Chris Borland has 5.5 TFL.

In the romp over Nebraska last time out, the Badgers held the ball for more than 35 minutes, thanks in large part to 8-of-12 success on third-down conversion attempts. Ball ran for 151 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries, while Wilson threw for a pair of scores and ran for another.

"It's huge for our football team, huge for our football program," said Wilson after the game. "And the fact that we came out with a win, the fact that we played a great game and defense stepped up and made some great plays for us and got the offense the ball back. And to play a great game like that against a great team in Nebraska, is pretty awesome."

Defensively, Wisconsin limited a powerful Nebraska offense to just two touchdowns, both of which came in the first 20 minutes of the tilt. The Badgers shut the door the rest of the way, thanks in large part to three interceptions.

If Nebraska couldn't hang with Wisconsin, Indiana has absolutely no chance. Wilson is undoubtedly a serious Heisman contender, and Ball may very well score 25 or more touchdowns this season.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wisconsin 55, Indiana 10