Three things to know about the Wisconsin Badgers

Last season, the Badgers' defense was one of the best in the country for much of the season, finishing the season ranked 15th in S&P+ defensive rankings (and those rankings took a major hit after Cardale Jones and Ohio State dropped 59 points on Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship). This year, the Badgers' defense has been even better thus far. They're currently ranked 6th in S&P defensive rankings and are allowing an average of 12.3 points per game--a Big Ten best. Furthermore, as good as Wisconsin's defense has been this season, it has been even better at home. In their six games at Camp Randall this year, the Badgers have allowed an average of five points per game, including two non-conference shutouts early in the season.

The Badgers' defense is led by a mix of veteran players and young talent. Freshmen T.J. Edwards and Chris Orr were tasked with replacing the Badgers' two starting inside linebackers from last season and have done exceptionally well in their first seasons. The true freshman Orr, who missed the Badgers' last two games with a leg injury but looks to be back against the Wildcats, has recorded 33.5 tackles (fourth best on the team) while Edwards currently leads the team with 49 tackles this year. Both freshmen have proven to be more than adequate replacements at inside linebacker for the Badgers, and their success has also allowed senior outside linebacker Joe Schobert to have the most productive year of his career. He has recorded 15.5 tackles for a loss (tied for second in the Big Ten with some guy named Anthony Walker), 9.5 sacks (third in the Big Ten) and four forced fumbles (also third in the Big Ten). The strong play by these linebackers has translated into Wisconsin having the best run defense in the Big Ten, currently allowing an average of 97.3 rushing yards per game.

Wisconsin's secondary has also elevated its play this season, as it ranks 16th in the country in S&P+ pass defense. Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has seen unexpected players like Derrick Tindal and Tanner McEvoy step up and make an impact in the secondary this year. The sophomore Tindal has recorded 25 tackles and broken up five passes for the Badgers this season, while the senior McEvoy, who started at quarterback last season when the Badgers lost to the Wildcats at Ryan Field, has moved to safety and currently leads the team with four interceptions. Senior safety Michael Caputo, who led the team in tackles last year, is capable of making big plays in coverage, but also really excels at getting into the backfield and stopping the run.

2. Injuries have plagued the Badgers

Injuries have been a major issue for Wisconsin all season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Three weeks ago the Badgers lost their junior center Dan Voltz to a season-ending knee injury and junior receiver Robert Wheelwright for an extended period of time due to a leg injury. Both were major losses for this Wisconsin offense as Wheelwright led the team with four receiving touchdowns while Voltz was one of just two returning starters on the offensive line. The losses to both players have tested the Badgers depth and forced other inexperienced players to step up their games and embrace new roles on the team. Three freshmen offensive linemen are listed as starters on Wisconsin's depth chart for this week while the safety McEvoy is also listed as a first-team wide receiver.

Running back Corey Clement, who many experts had on their preseason watch lists as a potential Doak Walker/Heisman candidate, is expected to practice this week after missing significant time this season due to a sports hernia surgery as well as a hand injury he sustained last week after being allegedly assaulted during an off-campus incident. According to head coach Paul Chryst, Clement's hand injury will not affect his playing status for Saturday, the decision will be based on the status of his groin. Clement's return would be a huge one for the Badgers, as he is by far the best running back on the roster and would force Northwestern to devote more attention to stopping the run. In the lone game that he's played in since the Badgers' week one loss to Alabama, Clement ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns against the Rutgers' defense. Last season when he faced Northwestern, Clement had a relatively quiet day, rushing for just 22 yards on six carries but that's largely due in part to the fact that former Badger running back, and 2014 Heisman runner-up, Melvin Gordon ran for 259 yards that day.

3. This is not your typical Wisconsin offense

In the past, we've seen the Badgers live and die running the football. Year in and year out, stellar running backs such as Brian Calhoun, P.J. Hill, John Clay, Montee Ball, James White and most recently Gordon all have success rushing for the Badgers. In fact, the Badgers have had at least one running back (all mentioned in the previous sentence) rush for at least 1,000 yards since 2005, the longest active streak in college football. This year, that steak could be in jeopardy, as aforementioned injuries have decimated the Badgers' offense and led to changes on the offensive line as well as the starting running back position. Junior Dare Ogunbowale, who initially walked on to the team as a cornerback, currently leads the team with 612 rushing yards and six touchdowns, but his production is expected to go down upon the return of Clement. Furthermore, this season the Badgers have seen their offense shift from a run-heavy style to a more pass reliant attack.

Wisconsin's passing offense is currently ranked 35th in S&P+ rankings, while its rushing offense currently sits at No. 75. The Badgers have throwing the ball significantly more than they did last season, as they attempted a total of 322 passes (averaging 23 attempts per game) in 2014 and this year after 10 games they've already eclipsed that number, attempting 336 passes (33.6 attempts per game). This shift in offensive style has most affected the play of senior quarterback Joel Stave. Stave possesses great size and and exceptional arm strength; he's also shown the ability this season to stay in the pocket and makes throws despite facing the blitz. Similar to previous years, Stave has struggled turning the ball over, (he has eight interceptions to go along with his 10 passing touchdowns this season), which was most notable in the Badgers' 10-6 loss to Iowa in which Stave tossed two interceptions and also fumbled twice, including a crucial muffed fourth quarter exchange on the goal line that could've given the Badgers the lead.

Perhaps the biggest challenge Stave has had to face this year is the lack of depth at the receiver position. Since the injury to Wheelwright, senior Alex Erickson has proven to be the only consistent receiver on the roster, receiving 31.6% of the team's targets and hauling in 63 catches for 831 yards and three touchdowns. Erickson does not have ideal size (he's listed at 6'0, 197 pounds) but his exceptional route running ability along with his impressive speed make him a legitimate deep threat that the Wildcats will have to account for. Also on the receiving end, senior tight end Austin Traylor, who broke his arm six weeks ago against Iowa, said last week that he expects to play on Saturday. Traylor has caught 10 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns so far this year and would most likely play alongside sophomore tight end Troy Fumagalli. Both Traylor and Fumagalli have excellent size (Traylor is 6'4 while Fumagalli is 6'6) and could cause many matchup problems for Northwestern. Chryst said in his press conference on Monday that Traylor will practice this week but his status for Saturday is still up in the air.