Scouting report: Gophers vs. No. 5 Wisconsin
2:30 p.m. Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium (Ch. 5, 100.3-FM)
A look at the Badgers
Wisconsin comes to town with the goal of not only keeping Paul Bunyan's Axe for the 14th consecutive year but also to keep alive its College Football Playoff hopes. The Badgers (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) are off to their best start in school history and have a clear path to the playoff — beat the Gophers on Saturday and Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 2 in Indianapolis. Two of the teams ahead of Wisconsin in the playoff standings, No. 2 Miami and No. 3 Clemson, meet in the ACC title game, so it's unlikely that an undefeated Badgers team would be kept out of the top four. A victory Saturday will give the Badgers their 15th consecutive Big Ten win, extending a school record.
Who to watch: Alex Hornibrook, QB
While freshman running back Jonathan Taylor ranks third in the nation in rushing with 1,657 yards, it's Hornibrook who is the key to the Badgers offense. His stats aren't eye-popping — 62.6 completion percentage, 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns, 13 interceptions — but he's come through in big games. After throwing an interception that led to a Michigan TD on Saturday, Hornibrook responded with a touchdown pass and a key third-down connection on a field-goal drive in the third quarter of the Badgers' 24-10 victory. "Sometimes adversity helps us play even harder and better. We were able to do that today,'' the sophomore from West Chester, Pa., said.
From the coach: Paul Chryst
In his third year as Wisconsin's coach after two years at Pitt, Chryst has a 32-6 record and has the program poised to make its first playoff appearance. First, though, the former Badgers offensive coordinator has his attention on the Axe. "Certainly, this game means a ton to both sides. If you look back at the history of it, both schools have had their runs,'' he said. "The great thing about sports is what are you doing today. This group knows that it's all about this year, two teams. You play the game to get the right to keep the Axe or get the Axe.''
Randy Johnson
