Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: Game Preview With TV Schedule

By Connor Muldowney
Wisconsin
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Heading into the 2014 season, who would have though the final game of the season between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers would decide who heads to the Big Ten title game from the West Division. Wisconsin is on fire right now while the Gophers have gone 2-2 in their past four games.

Wisconsin has relied heavily on the run game this season as the Badgers’ attack ranks third in the nation with 344 yards per game on the ground. Melvin Gordon may very well win the Heisman Trophy this season, especially after putting up 400 yards just two weeks ago, accumulating 2,109 yards and 25 touchdowns on the year while averaging 8.3 yards per carry — looks like the numbers of some quarterbacks in college football. Gordon’s backup, Corey Clement, has been solid as well, rushing for 741 yards and eight touchdowns while backup quarterback Tanner McEvoy has 560 yards and six scores. Joel Stave has been more of a game-manager at quarterback, leading the team with just 827 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions.

Minnesota’s offenses is modeled nearly the same exact way as Wisconsin’s, but with less success on the ground than the Badgers. Minnesota ranks just 123rd in passing yards as well as 25th in rushing yards per game this season as Mitch Leidner has been more of a mobile quarterback. Leidner has passed for just 1,445 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions while also rushing for 407 yards and eight touchdowns — second on the team. David Cobb is the only rusher ahead of Leidner, accounting for 1,430 yards and 12 touchdowns, quickly becoming one of the conference’s best running backs. Tight end Maxx Williams is the team’s leading receiver and the most reliable pass-catcher on the team, grabbing 28 receptions — two times as many as the next receiver — for 418 yards and seven scores.

Defensively, the Golden Gophers have been quite solid this season, ranking 35th in total yards allowed and an even better 30th in points allowed per contest. Wisconsin, like many other units in the conference, has been the class of the country, ranking third in points allowed and second in total yards given up per game.

Minnesota will travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 29. The game will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 24, Wisconsin 34

Want to see the Golden Gophers take on the Badgers in week 14? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].

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