It's Game Day in Madison: Battle of the Heartland Trophy, as Wisconsin hosts Iowa

Madison, WI -- The defending Big Ten West champion and now undefeated Wisconsin Badgers (9-0, 6-0 B1G West) welcome the #20 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, B1G West) to Camp Randall Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC Sports. The Heartland Trophy is on the line, when the Badgers and the Hawkeyes square off, but more importantly, the Badgers are the sole remaining Big Ten program in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2017.

Six Big Ten teams are now among the Top 25 and both Power 5 programs
from the great State of Iowa are ranked #20 and #21 for the first time, in
College Football Playoff history. Wisconsin is the lone Top 10 team in the B1G.

The Badgers have never gone 12-0 in the regular season, while the Hawkeyes finished 12-0 in 2015, for the first time in program history, as they won the Big Ten West division. The last time Iowa traveled to Madison was in the 2015 season, defeating the Badgers 10-6 in a defensive slug fest. The Hawkeyes are coming off an impressive 55-24 win over Ohio State, eliminating the Buckeyes from the College Football Playoff field.

Iowa won the last time in Madison 10-6. The Hawkeyes are hoping for three
straight, in a series where the road team has won six straight in the series.
Today's winner, will carry off the Heartland Trophy, introduced in 2004.

Iowa has faced five programs in the Top 25, with a 2-3 record, while Wisconsin is 1-0 with a 33-24 win at home against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes fell at Northwestern 17-10 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have fallen three times, but have played a stronger non conference, as well, as conference schedule in 2017.

Can the Hawkeyes make it two in a row, defeating Top 10 programs?

The Dean of College Football, Kirk Ferentz coaches the Iowa Hawkeyes, while Wisconsin is coached by Madison native and Badger alum, Paul Chryst, now in his third season at the helm, after three seasons at Pittsburgh (19-19). Chryst is now 30-6 at the helm at Wisconsin. The coaches are 1-1 in Big Ten meetings as head coaches, while Ferentz holds a 2-1 record overall head to head, with a 24-20 win in Pittsburgh in 2014 over Chryst's Pitt Panthers team.

Kirk Ferentz is in his 19th season at the helm at Iowa, as head coach and his 28th season overall. Paul Chryst grew
up in Madison, played football for the Badgers, was on the staff, as an assistant and now is in his third season,
as head coach, after three seasons leading Pittsburgh. The first head to head meeting against head coaches was in 2014,
when Iowa used a second half comeback to win 24-20 over the Chryst coached team. Ferentz is 2-1, 1-1 in Big Ten games.

Last year, in Iowa City, Wisconsin won 17-9, as the Hawkeyes were unable to find the end zone, due to the solid Badgers defense. The visiting program has won sixth straight in the series. The Badgers lead the series 45-43-2.

Statistics for the Iowa-Wisconsin series
Meetings total	90
All-time series	Wisconsin leads, 45–43–2 (.511)
Largest victory	Wisconsin, 44–0 (1894)
Longest win streak	Iowa, 10 (1985–1996)
Longest unbeaten streak	Iowa, 18 (1977–1996)
Current win streak	Wisconsin, 1 (2016–present)

Defense wins championships in the Big Ten West Division

Since 2014, the Big Ten has played East and West divisions, when Maryland and Rutgers joined the conference, making it seven programs in each division. The realignment reunited the annual series between Iowa and Wisconsin. Past three winners in the West Division ...

• 2014, Wisconsin at 7-1 in the West
• 2015, Iowa at 8-0 in the West
• 2016, Wisconsin at 7-2 in the West
• 2017, Wisconsin is in the driver seat right now, they control own destiny ...

Wisconsin and Iowa are #1 and #2 in conference games in scoring defense allowing only 15 and 17.5 points per game, respectively. On offense in Big Ten games, Iowa has played both #1 Ohio State (47.7) and #2 Penn State (33.50), splitting those games 1-1. Wisconsin (32.5) and Iowa (26.0) are #3 and #4, respectively, in the conference. The highest scoring opponent Wisconsin has faced is Northwestern (25.8).

The defense at Wisconsin is now lead by DC Jim Leonard, who is the third
defensive coordinator for head coach Paul Chryst, who is 30-6 in three seasons.

Both programs are playing very good football heading into the second Saturday of November. The Badgers lost two starting players last Saturday, #1 WR sophomore Quintez Cephus and sophomore LB Chris Orr, in the 45-17 win at Indiana. Iowa has lost three starters this season to injuries, but none of the players have played significantly this season. 

Quarterback will play a key role in today's game

Two sophomores get the start for each team. Prior to this season, redshirt sophomore Alex Hornibrook was a part-time starter for Wisconsin, but he is the full-time starter now in 2017, since Bart Houston graduated. Hornibrook ranks #2 behind Ohio State's J.T. Barrett in passing efficiency, despite throwing eight interceptions to seven touchdowns in conference play.

Wisconsin sophomore QB 12 Alex Hornibrook in last season's home game against Ohio State. The Badgers lone Big
Ten loss last season came in Madison 23-20 in OT. How will Iowa's defense get Hornibrook in Madison?
The Badgers QB threw 7 interceptions all last season and has eight already in 2017 in conference games.

Iowa's true sophomore Nate Stanley is in his first season, as the starting QB, replacing C.J. Beathard, who is now in the NFL playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Stanley has throw 12 touchdown passes and only 3 interceptions in conference play, as he returns to his home state of Wisconsin for the game today. Stanley has had two-five TD days, on the road in the non conference at #21 Iowa State and last Saturday in the win over #13 Ohio State.

Over in Columbus, the Big Ten East race will see Michigan State sophomore QB 14 Brain Lewerke lead the Spartans
into Ohio State to determine, who enters the driver seat, as the likely East draw in Indianapolis. Iowa sophomore QB
4 Nate Stanley returns to his home state, as the Hawkeyes face the Badgers in Camp Randall this afternoon.
The Big Ten has three prominent sophomore quarterback, with two of the three on display today in Madison. 

No one is expecting those type of fireworks in today's Iowa vs. Wisconsin game

This game begins in the offensive and defensive lines. Iowa has a new offensive line coach, with former North Dakota State offensive coordinator Tim Polasek, another Wisconsin native. Wisconsin has their third defensive coordinator, in the past three seasons, under Chryst. Chryst elevated defensive back coach Jim Leonard, a former Badgers defensive back, who joined the coaching staff last season, after a successful career as an NFL player. The Hawkeyes have a first year offensive coordinator, as Iowa elevated offensive line and run game coordinator, Brian Ferentz, a former Iowa offensive lineman to the position this off season.

How will first year Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz dial up on the
road, in his third B1G road test of 2017? There is a trophy on the line in this one.
The Hawkeyes did win a trophy in a 44-41 OT game at Iowa State, but the Hawkeyes
are 0-2 on the road, in Big Ten road games this season, at MSU and at Northwestern.

There will be a lot of motivation within the coaching staffs of both team in this game. Winning the line of scrimmage is always a key in this series. It's another trophy game. The Hawkeyes have won the two of four trophy games in 2017, with wins over Iowa State and Minnesota, 17-10 at Kinnick. Wisconsin plays for three trophy games to close out the regular season, with Iowa, Michigan and at Minnesota on the road to their first 12-0 season.

But, can Iowa knock Wisconsin off track today?

True freshman RB Jonathan Taylor is the feature back for the Badgers. He leads the Big Ten, in conference games, with 930 yards. He has had two-200 yard games, to kickoff his career at Wisconsin. He will be used behind the fullback and in the slot. His first running mate is sophomore Bradrick Shaw. Taylor has zero yards in the passing game in conference play.

The Iowa defense will face the #1 RB in the Big Ten at Wisconsin, as the Badgers
ground attack is lead by true freshman RB 23 Jonathan Taylor. He averages 6.8
yards per game, with seven touchdowns in Big Ten play in 2017.

The Hawkeyes have a strong dual threat senior RB Akrum Wadley, in both the run and passing game. You will see both offenses feature a fullback at times and rely on the tight ends in the run and passing games. Iowa also has senior Nevada transfer James Butler, back from an elbow injury, and redshirt freshman Toren Young at RB. Young is a Wisconsin prep making his first visit to his home state.

Iowa senior RB 25 Akrum Wadley can be outstanding in open space and this
safety valve pass last Saturday in the 55-24 win over Ohio State got Urban Meyer's
attention. Wadley has not found the run game consistent at times this season.
Will the Iowa offensive line provide opportunities for a change against the Badgers?

In the passing game, Wisconsin is now lead by senior TE Troy Fumagalli, with a sophomore WR A.J. Taylor and true freshman Danny Davis III the prime receivers outside now, due to multiple injuries in the receiving corp this season. The most recent injury was Cephus, but the Badgers are already without the leading returning receiver, senior WR Jazz Peavy, who went down, in early Big Ten play.

Iowa sophomore TE 87 Noah Fant leads Iowa receivers with TD receptions
with seven on the season. Wisconsin has a really strong tradition with tight ends,
as well. Senior Troy Fumagalli is an outstanding leader for the Badgers.
Iowa is healthy at TE for a change, after some ups and downs in recent seasons.

On the flip side, the Iowa receiving corp rode heavily last Saturday on true sophomore TE Noah Fant and redshirt freshman TE T.J. Hockenson, who each had two touchdowns in the win over Ohio State. Iowa's threesome at WR is senior Matt VandeBerg, junior JUCO transfer Nick Easley and true freshman Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Iowa is beginning to target true freshman Brandon Smith, but he only has three catches on the season.

Iowa's offensive line is anchored by Ohio preps, senior RG 79 Sean Welsh and
junior C 78 James Daniels, who clearly had best game of season, in last Saturday's
win over Ohio State. The pass blocking has improved, but mistakes, penalities
impacted the unit, until Saturday's impressive win over Ohio State.

Both programs are built in the offensive line on offense. Both teams returned four starters to begin the season, but the Hawkeyes lost both senior tackles early and are relying now on redshirt freshman LT Alaric Jackson and true freshman RT Tristan Wilfs, who each had a breakout game last Saturday, along with the interior line mates. The Hawkeyes will have to have another breakout game to likely have back to back upsets in Big Ten play. How will the Hawkeyes perform playing the vaulted 3-4 defense the Badgers run in Madison?

Iowa senior MLB 43 Josey Jewell leads the Big Ten in tackles in conference play,
as he takes down OSU QB C.J. Barrett in space last Saturday, in the win.

Iowa is rotating eight, even nine players in the defensive line in 2017. They faced a good unit last Saturday, but the size of the Wisconsin offensive line, with a be a real test, as well. Iowa starts three seniors in the linebacker corp, lead by the Big Ten's leading tackler, Josey Jewell.

Wisconsin junior LB T.J. Edwards lead the 2016 Badger defense in tackles,
he is back in 2017 to lead the #1 scoring defense, as he returns an interception
in the Homecoming game against Maryland, in a 38-13 win in Big Ten play.

In the linebacker corp, Wisconsin junior T.J. Edwards leads the front 7 of the defense, with senior Jack Cichy out all season. Junior JUCO transfer OLB Andrew Van Girkel has become a key performer, out of Iowa Western C.C. and Rock Valley, Iowa.

Two of the best cornerbacks in the Big Ten will be on the field today

Iowa first-year starting, junior CB Joshua Jackson and Wisconsin junior, Hawaii transfer CB Nick Nelson lead the conference in pass breakouts and are among the top two CBs in the nation this season. Jackson pulled off a hat trick with three of the four interceptions during last week's Iowa-Ohio State game. Iowa opened last week's game with a Pick 6 by sophomore SS Amani Hooker.

The Big Ten has the nation's top two cornerbacks per PFF College Football,
as Iowa's Joshua Jackson and Wisconsin's Nick Nelson rate 1-2.

The Wisconsin Badgers have been very consistent over the past ten seasons with the #10 record in all of College Football. The Badgers are off to a 9-0 start and are seeking first ten win start in program history. The last opportunity was in 2004, when the Badgers opened 9-0, then lost back to back Big Ten games against Michigan State and Iowa to close regular season.

45-43-2 Wisconsin leads the series, coming off last year's 17-9 game.
The Heartland Trophy is on the line in Camp Randall today ...

The Hawkeyes are hoping to start a three game losing streak, since Iowa needs help in dethroning the Badgers on pace for their third Big Ten West division title in four seasons. Northwestern is needing help, as well. So, an interesting final three weeks ahead ...

Keys to the game ...

• QB play on both sides ... which QB plays with more composure and with fewer turnovers
• Running game and explosive plays, the Badgers have broke open this series lately with B1G plays
• Coaching staff adjustments and performances, who puts team in better position
• Weather in Madison today ...

Iowa's QB Nate Stanley won honors in his first road start. However, the Hawkeyes
offense was not on track in his first two Big Ten road games. What happens today?

Prediction in the Iowa @ Wisconsin game today ...

• Iowa Hawkeyes 18
• Wisconsin Badgers 13

... thoughts in this one are QB Nate Stanley puts it together in his third B1G road game, as Iowa's defense puts enough pressure on QB Alex Hornibrook, leading to another B1G turnover ...

Big Ten pecking order in the College Football Playoff ratings ...

B1G West Season Opener: Wisconsin host Iowa in Conference opener

Madison, WI -- The Wisconsin Badgers (3-1) open the 120th season of Big Ten Football, with a three game win streak in 2015, as well, as a three game win streak over their opponent, the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0). It will be the Badgers new head coach Paul Chryst's first Big Ten game, as head coach, but a homecoming for the former Badger player, assistant coach and native of Madison.

The Badgers have held the possession of the Heartland Trophy over the past three
games, since 2010, all played in Iowa City. The Badgers welcome the Hawkeyes
back to Madison for the first time, since 2009. RB #25 Melvin Gordon, TE #49
Sam Arneson and  OL #78 Rob Havenstein have all departed, as seniors last year.

Iowa finished 2014, with zero trophy wins for the season and a disappointing 7-6 record. The dean of Big Ten coaches, Kirk Ferentz, found his program needing an uplift in 2015. Changes were needed and began immediately in January, with a new quarterback named number 1. The Hawkeyes have not been able to successfully win a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, since the game was created in 2011. The Hawkeyes have not won a bowl or been ranked in the Top 25, since the 2010 season.

Hawkeye quarterback #16 C.J. Beathard named co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
after the 31-17 win at Iowa State, in Week 2. Beathard was 15-25 for 215 yards, three
touchdowns, in Iowa's first trophy game of the season. He also rushed for 77 yards.

After a 4-0 start in September under junior quarterback C.J. Beathard, the building blocks may be in place to improve the Hawkeyes standing in the Big Ten and a Top 25 ranking may be very close, as they head to Wisconsin to open the 126th season of Iowa Football, now in conference play. A win over the Badgers will likely launch Iowa into the Top 25, but more importantly, it would be the second of four trophy games for Iowa, as well as a 1-0 start in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes won the Cy-Hawk Trophy on the road in Week 2, with a 31-17 win over Iowa State.

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri has become an effective inside runner
and effective in the passing game. Last year, he had a 27 yard pass reception,
in the short passing game. He has eight touchdowns on the season to lead the
Big Ten. He is a player to watch in the Black and Gold on Saturday.

Iowa has won three straight Big Ten road openers with new coordinators, since OC Greg Davis arrived and DC Phil Parker was named to the position, in 2012. Iowa is 12-5 in Madison dating back to the Bob Commings era in the 1970s. The Hawkeyes have had only two head coaches, since 1979, with Hayden Fry and Ferentz. A 5-0 start for Iowa in 2015, would be a huge boost for a program that has been struggling to get back to relevance in the Big Ten picture.

Who's defense steps up in Madison today or will the offenses be the spotlight?

On the opposite side, Wisconsin has played in two Big Ten Championship Games, since 2011. The Badgers won the inaugural Big Ten West Division in 2014. However, they were destroyed by Ohio State, 59-0, who went on to win the inaugural College Football Playoff, last season. A new coach, with a lot of history in Madison, is now leading the program, after the Gary Anderson era came to an end, after two seasons at the helm. Ironically, Wisconsin lost their coach, after each division win.

The visitor has actually won six of the last eight Heartland Trophy games, including four straight, since Iowa's 2009 win in Madison, 20-10. Last time around, Iowa was without one of their top wide receivers (Marvin McNutt) for the game heading to Madison. Iowa found out this week, they will be without the services of senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith. Iowa was successful in 2009 in circling the wagons, with after losing a key player. Ferentz is 3-3 as a head coach in Madison.

Iowa's top receiver in 2015 is junior WR #89 Matt VandeBerg. He has
developed into a key combination with Iowa QB C.J. Beathard this year.

Ten different Hawkeyes have combined to catch 77 passes this season. Junior Matt VandeBerg, who has caught 25 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns leads the Hawkeyes in receiving. The Hawkeyes also welcomed back senior tight end Jake Duzey, from injury, in their final non-conference tune-up ahead of Big Ten play. Duzey lead all returning tight ends from a year ago in receiving.

The Badgers do return junior C #70 Dan Voltz, as anchor of the OLine and senior QB
#2 Joel Stave back in the battle with the Hawkeyes in 2015. Last season, the Badgers 
used a two quarterback attack, but new coach Paul Chryst has settled with a true #1 for
2015. The Badgers are going for a four year possession of the Heartland Trophy.

Wisconsin has had the experience in the backfield lately in the series. In the past two games, the running game was a huge advantage for the Badgers. With the injury of junior running back Corey Clement, the Badgers have less experience leading the running game, than Iowa on Saturday. The Badgers will lean on junior Dare Ogunbowale, who likely can help on the ground and through the air. Last week's leading rusher was redshirt freshman Taiwain Deal, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, after 147 yards rushing, two touchdowns, in the 28-0 win over Hawaii.

Senior #46 Austin Traylor is the new starting TE for the Badgers this season.
Last year, now a sophomore, wearing #81, last year #48 Troy Fumagalli got into
the fun. The TE position is a huge for both teams in the offensive game. Who
steps forward on Saturday could determine the outcome of Saturday's match-up.

Both teams have new parts in the offensive line heading into the 2015 Big Ten season. Both teams lean on experienced and talented centers to anchor the lines. Iowa will start a new left tackle for the Big Ten opener, as junior Cole Croston steps into the line up. Iowa's experience is inside at all three positions. Wisconsin starts two redshirt freshmen at the two guard positions and a new right tackle. The run game hasn't been as strong, as recent Badger offenses.

Defense wins championships and plays an important role in the Heartland Game. The Badgers have not given up a touchdown in the past three non-conference game, after the disappointing opener in Texas against Alabama. On the flip side, Iowa hasn't given up a rushing touchdown yet in 2015. Will something give, or will we see a defensive, grind out game in Madison on Saturday?

“I think of tough, physical, hard-nosed football. It’s going to be a brawl-type of game. I have a lot of respect for Iowa. It was a school that I considered. I see a lot of similarities between Wisconsin and Iowa. When I say that, I mean the mindset that it takes to play the game. They’ve got players who love to get after it – they pin their ears back and come at you. We’re the same way.” - Wisconsin senior OLB Joe Biegel on the Iowa-Wisconsin game.

The Badgers operate out of a 3-4 defense, one of the key performers is senior OLB
#47 Vince Biegel, back from last year's game corralling Iowa reserve, now a
sophomore, #25 Akrum Wadley, who ran for a 100+ yards vs. Northwestern in '14. 

The 3-4 defense isn't something Iowa hasn't faced in 2015. In Iowa's first trophy game win of the young season at Iowa State, the Hawkeyes took care of business. However, the Wisconsin defense has consistently been disruptive for the Hawkeyes, especially in Wisconsin DC Dave Aranda's first season, in 2013. Last year, the Hawkeyes got the passing game going, in the two point loss.

Wisconsin senior SS #7 Michael Caputo is the leader of the Badgers
secondary. He could figure in the pressure game, as the Badgers
typically blitz more than Iowa, who work from a 4-3 defense.

The secondary will play a big role on both sides of the football for Iowa and Wisconsin on Saturday. Iowa returns three starters in the secondary, as do the Badgers. Wisconsin has moved former quarterback Tanner McEvoy to free safety and wide receiver, for his senior season. The 6-6 231 McEvoy will be an interesting guy to watch on Saturday.

Wisconsin senior OLB #58 Joe Schobert leads the Badgers defense with six sacks,
as well, as the leading the team in tackles, in non-conference play.

The Iowa-Wisconsin game often is a very tight game. The Badgers have been known to break out early over the Hawkeyes. On the flip side, the Badgers won the 2010 game, with a comeback victory. Iowa has done that before, as well.

Our Pick: Iowa 31, Wisconsin 17 in Madison

With obvious interest, Wisconsin OLB Vince Biegel did watch the BTN interview with Iowa QB C.J. Beathard, who’s 5-0 as a starter with the Hawkeyes. “I can definitely tell from watching film and seeing that interview that he’s the leader of their offense,” Biegel said. “It’s just the way he leads – he’s in full control.”

The Hawkeyes have one win on the road at Iowa State. C.J. Beathard, 5-0 as a starter
has lead Iowa to two fourth quarter victories this season, against ISU and Pitt. He
also lead Iowa to a comeback victory last season, against Paul Chryst's Pitt team,
as well. It was a 24-20 win at Pitt, where Beathard lead the Hawkeyes from a 10 point
deficit. This should be a 60 minute game on Saturday in Madison for Hawkeyes-Badgers.

Beathard has been particularly effective in the fourth quarter – completing 14 of 17 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown through the first four games. Twice, he has led late game-winning scoring drives against Iowa State and Pittsburgh. He has a 142.6 pass efficiency rating in the quarter, tops in the Big Ten. Iowa used backup quarterback Tyler Wiegers, in the past the other two Iowa games, in wins over Illinois State and North Texas.

The Big Ten West Division looks to be wide open, with Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin all in the discussion for the title by many pundits. Of course, Illinois and Purdue don't want to be left out, but they are likely in a spoiler role, as opposed to contender role. It is Year 2 of the West Division and three big division games spotlight the first week of October:

• Iowa @ Wisconsin - Iowa has won 20-10 in 2005 and 2009 in Madison. Is there something special about that score for the Hawkeyes in Madison?
• Minnesota @ Northwestern - This should be an interesting B1G opener, the Wildcats are undefeated for the first time, since 2013, the first of back to back 5-7 seasons. The Golden Gophers have not fared well on offense opening 3-1 in the non-conference. Do the Golden Gophers make it three in a roll, under Jerry Kill over Pat Fitzgerald?
• Nebraska @ Illinois - this could be a shootout, as both teams defenses have not been outstanding, especially against the pass. Welcome to the Big Ten Mike Riley at Nebraska, as interim head coach Bill Cubit looks to win the battle between 3-1 teams ...
• Purdue opens in a division cross-over game, @ Michigan State, after a sluggish 1-3 start for the Boilermakers, but the Spartans should prevail in East Lasing in the B1G opener.

In the Big Ten East Division, there are two division games, as Rutgers (0-1) enjoys a bye week and Penn State (1-0) hosts Army, in their final non-conference game. The Nittany Lions should remain undefeated at home, after falling in the season opener at Temple.

Michigan senior transfer QB #15 Jake Rudock played last season at Maryland,
in an Iowa uniform. The game was a disappointment though, as the Hawkeyes
fell 38-31. The Wolverines, also fell in Ann Arbor last season 23-16 to Maryland.
Look for the Wolverines offense to click, while the defense should lead them to
victory, as Big Ten play opens up in the Big Ten today.

• Michigan @ Maryland - The Wolverines have won three straight, since the opening loss at Utah to kickoff the Jim Harbaugh era for Michigan. The Terrapins have struggled in 2015, with a new signal caller and on defense.
• Ohio State @ Indiana - The first battle of the 2015 season in the Big Ten against undefeated 4-0 teams; the Buckeyes have not hit all cylinders, coming off a B1G title and the first College Football Playoff championship. The Hoosiers look good offensively, but defense still leaves a lot to be desired. Urban Meyer has never lost a Big Ten regular season game, entering his fourth season in Columbus.

The real season kicks off in October with Big Ten play in the B1G West and East

September has come to an end, with five Big Ten teams finishing 4-0 in out of conference play. Of course, with the variety of schedules, it doesn't always indicate the true strength of a team ...

2015 marks the 120th season of Big Ten Football.
It is the second season of the B1G West vs. B1G East.

• Ohio State - the defending champions are looking to repeat in the Big Ten, as well in the College Football Playoff, after being crowned the first champion
• Michigan State - The Spartans were dethroned in year one of the West vs. East format ... they will be seeking a date in their third Big Ten Championship Game in 2015
• Indiana - The Hoosiers are off the their best start, since 1990
• Iowa - The Hawkeyes are undefeated for the first time, since 2009, when they won nine straight and fell one game short in Columbus of a Big Ten title
• Northwestern - The Wildcats are off to a solid start after back to back 5-7 seasons ...

The Big Ten West race appears to be wide open. There are three huge games to kick off the Big Ten West opening weekend in October.

The defending Big Ten West champs will host Iowa to kickoff the 2015
Big Ten season, as the Heartland Trophy will be on the line in this rivalry
that the Badgers lead 44-42-2. This is the first game in Madison, since 2009,
when Iowa defeated Wisconsin. The Badgers won last year, 26-24 in Iowa City.

• Iowa @ Wisconsin
• Minnesota @ Northwestern
• Nebraska @ Illinois

Purdue has to travel to Big Ten East counterpart Michigan State, so there is always a odd match up, since there are seven teams in each division of the Big Ten today.

The Big Ten East witnessed the kickoff of the 120th season of Big Ten Football, with Penn State (1-0) defeating Rutgers (0-1) 28-3 in Happy Valley. Penn State will host Army, in their final out of conference game, while Rutgers will enjoy a bye week. They close out the non-conference play, with a trip to Army in late November.

There are two Big Ten East headliners to kickoff the 120th season of Big Ten Football: 

• Michigan @ Maryland
• Ohio State @ Indiana

The road to Indianapolis kicks off in full force in the month of October around the Big Ten ...

First year Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst meet
with the Media on Monday, ahead of the 
Big Ten opener vs. Iowa, in Madison.

Wisconsin (3-1) is on a three game winning streak at home, after losing the season opener in Arlington, TX to Alabama (3-1, 0-1 SEC West) 35-17. The Badgers own a three game winning streak over the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0) heading into the Big Ten opener in Madison.

Iowa defeated Paul Chryst's Pittsburgh team last year on the road, 24-20, so there are some good story-lines heading into the Heartland Trophy Game. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is tied with former Wisconsin head coach and current Barry Alvarez for ninth on the Big Ten football win list.

Ironically, Iowa defeated Wisconsin in 2005, in Barry Alverez's final Big Ten game at Madison, by the score of 20-10. Ferentz and Alverez both got their coaching start under Hayden Fry at Iowa. They coached together from 1981 to 1986 for the Hawkeyes, as assistant coaches.

Chryst was a former player and assistant at Wisconsin, so the Iowa-Wisconsin rivalry is very well known to him. He mentioned today during his press conference, how he learned about the rivalry.

Wisconsin RB #28 Taiwan Deal had
a career high 147 yards rushing and
2 TDs, in the 28-0 win over Hawaii.

"I first was exposed to it as a player, but I thought that was one of the best things we did, learning that from Coach Alvarez. When you look at the rivalry games, the trophy games that we have, if you want to win your side (of the Big Ten), you've got to beat those teams and, therefore, I think they are big. And I think our players, even before that trophy came in, I know our players always enjoyed and it was a big deal to play Iowa." - Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri
leads the Big Ten in 2015, with 8 TDs
rushing. Hawkeye fans saw climpses
vs. UW last year, of what Canzeri can
due as a running and receiver in '15.

Wisconsin has a young power running game, with junior Corey Clement sidelined for 3-5 weeks due to injury. In the final non-conference game against Hawaii (2-2), red-shirt freshman Taiwan Deal stepped up for the Badgers with a 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Deal was named the Big Ten Conference freshman of the week, due to his performance in the Week 4 game vs. Hawaii, a 28-0 win in Madison.

This will be an interesting difference between the last five years, where Wisconsin had experience running backs, when they faced Iowa. This season, Iowa returns the experience at the running back position, rather than the Badgers.

Wisconsin played Tannor McEvoy at quarterback last year, as well as starter Joel Stave. In last year's 26-24 win over Iowa, McEvoy was very effective on the option, including the game's first touchdown. Now, a full-time free safety, it will be interesting to see how each of the seniors play vs. Iowa. It will be a different game in 2015 in Madison.

Of course, Iowa now has a new quarterback, in junior C.J. Beathard, who is 5-0 as a starter and will be making his third road start for the Hawkeyes in Madison on Saturday. The Wisconsin head football coach saw Beathard lead Iowa to a 24-20 win over his Pittsburgh team last year. He entering the game, after halftime, in relief for the injured Iowa starting quarterback, leading Iowa from a ten point deficit and the win on the road over the new Badgers head coach.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard
has been leading Iowa with both his
feet and his arm leading Iowa to their
first 4-0 start, since 2009. It was also
in 2009, the last time Iowa beat UW.

"I thought he's been playing really well. Actually last year he was in a game where he came in and I think he made the difference in it. He comes from a football family, and I think that like a lot of players, now he knows it's his team, his turn and I think he's playing confident. Looks like he's playing confident. He's certainly very talented, and I think he's -- I don't want to say a big part because I think they have a lot of parts working for them, but certainly a big contributor in their success to this point." - Wisconsin's Chryst shared to the media his thoughts on Iowa' Beathard.

Defense wins championships in the Big Ten. Iowa's 2013 team, which went 8-5 during the season, fell hard in a 28-9 defeat vs. the Badgers. Wisconsin's defense dominated the Hawkeyes on their home turf.

Iowa junior DT #67 Jaleel Johnson is
one of two new starters at tackle. He
will be an important cog in Iowa's
run defense in Madison on Saturday.

Iowa's defense and special teams appear to be improving over last season's disappointing 7-6 team. The Badgers head coach reflecting on Iowa's defense heading into this Saturday's rivalry game in the Big Ten.

"I think they've got very good players and I think that they understand and know their scheme, and I think the scheme is a good scheme, and so I think anytime you've got a good scheme with good players, it makes it a good defense." - Chryst discussing Iowa's effectiveness in 2015 against the run.

Offensively, Wisconsin has been good on third and short. But, there has been more difficulty in 2015, when the Badgers face third and medium and third and long.

Wisconsin senior QB #2 Joel Stave is
no longer in a two-QB system, like '14.
He is 8th among B1G QBs in passing,
5th in passing efficiency in OOC games.

"You’ve got to make plays. I think if you go back, Joel (Stave) and Alex (Erickson) didn't connect on the streak; you know, Alex was open and Joel thought it was going to be a little different spot than where Alex was. I thought that we had the other one, where the ball was behind Reggie (Love), that was another chance for conversion; we got sacked. I think it comes down to execution more than anything, and that's where we've got to keep working." - Chryst on the Badgers challenges facing third down and four or further.

Wisconsin senior WR #86 Alex
Erickson is the Badgers top
returning WR for 2015.

Wisconsin has a new head coach and new offensive coordinator in 2015. Though, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is 2-0 vs. Iowa, the past two seasons, since arriving in Madison in 2013. The head coach and offensive coordinator faced Iowa last season, while at Pitt.

Iowa changed offensive and defensive coordinators, after the 2011 season. Iowa is 3-0 in Big Ten road openers, under the new coordinators. Ferentz is only 8-8 over his 16 years at Iowa in Big Ten openers, with 12 of those games coming on the road.

The visitor has won six of the last eight in this series, including four in a row. It was a game down to the wire last year, in Iowa City, with Iowa cutting the deficit to two points, on two occasions, in the fourth quarter.

Iowa and Northwestern are the only two Big Ten teams, with two Power 5 wins to open 2015. This is a huge two week window for the Big Ten West race.

• Wisconsin opens with Iowa, then travels to Lincoln to face Nebraska
• Minnesota opens with back to back road games @ Northwestern, then @ Purdue
• Illinois hosts Nebraska, then travels to Iowa City, to face Iowa on it's Homecoming
• Northwestern hosts Minnesota, then travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan

It appears to be a wide open Big Ten West race in 2015, while the Big Ten East appears to have two at the top, with Ohio State and Michigan State. Michigan (3-1) is improving. Penn State (3-1) appears a year away, at least. Maryland (2-2) and Rutgers (2-2) are not as good, after winning bowl trips, in their inaugural seasons in the conference. 

At season's end, Indiana travels to Purdue, so who knows, if the Hoosiers can get to six wins? The Hoosiers haven't bowled, since 2007, which is the longest drought among Big Ten programs.

Last season, a record eleven conference programs went to bowl games in the first season with 14 programs. Only Indiana, Northwestern and Purdue were home for the Holidays. Northwestern and Purdue, last bowled in 2012.

The New Big Ten: East, West and eight B1G games ...

Next year, the Big Ten Conference will join the Pac 12 and Big 12 conferences with a nine game conference schedule. For now, year two of the B1G West and East divisions, each team will play an eight game conference schedule, with six division opponents and two cross-over games.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (24-0 over last 3 years, reg. season)
2. Michigan State Spartans (18-6)
3. Wisconsin Badgers (17-7)
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-7)
5. Michigan Wolverines (12-12)
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-12)
7. Maryland Terrapins (4-4, one year)
8. Iowa Hawkeyes (11-13)
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-13)
10. Rutgers Red Knights (3-5, one year)
11. Northwestern Wildcats (9-15)
12. Indiana Hoosiers (6-18)
13. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-20)
14. Purdue Boilermakers (4-20)

Penn State's QB Christian Hackenberg.

The Big Ten East is loaded with two preseason Top 10 programs: Ohio State and Michigan State for 2015. Further, Penn State is a program coming off probation, with renewed enthusiasm lead by a talented junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg back in 2015.

New Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh
is back in Ann Arbor for 2015.

Michigan welcomes a new head coach, with former Wolverine quarterback Jim Harbaugh, back in college football, after four seasons in the NFL. The Wolverines are 12-12 over the past three seasons in Big Ten play. It has been 11 seasons, since the Wolverines last won a Big Ten football title.

But, the conference has a different feel today, with seven programs in the East and seven other programs in the West. The path to the title is far different today. Ohio State is the defending National Champion, winner of the first College Football Playoff.

The path to a Big Ten football title is no longer like 1981, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2004 and the one game short path in 2009, that the Iowa Hawkeyes nearly pulled off, falling in OT in Columbus. It comes down to a final game, between the two corresponding division winners. Something the Iowa Football program has not come close to obtaining over the past four seasons.

Since 2011, the Big Ten Championship Game has determined the sole football champion of the conference. The first three seasons, the winners of the Leaders vs. Legends battled for the title. Last year, the East vs. West unfolded with Ohio State winning for the first time, under head coach Urban Meyer.

• 2011 - #15 Wisconsin 42, #11 Michigan State 39
• 2012 - Unranked Wisconsin 70, #14 Nebraska 31
• 2013 -  #10 Michigan State 34, #2 Ohio State 24
• 2014 - #6 Ohio State 59, #11 Wisconsin 0

Who takes care of business in 2015 in the Big Ten West?

Mike Riley was 58-63 in the Pac 12
over his 14 seasons as head coach.

Paul Chryst (19-19, 3 years at Pitt)
returns to his alma mater and hometown.

Both Nebraska and Wisconsin welcome new head coaches for the 2015 season. Mike Riley arrives in Lincoln, after 14 seasons as head coach at Oregon State, under two stints, with a 4 year break in the NFL. Paul Chryst returns to his hometown of Madison, after three seasons as head coach at Pittsburgh.

October will be very interesting in Big Ten West play, as Wisconsin plays both Iowa, then at Nebraska to kickoff their 2015 Big Ten schedule. Nebraska travels to Illinois, before hosting the defending division champs in Lincoln. The 2015 contest will be the first meeting, since Wisconsin's 70-13 win in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.

The Iowa defense returns 7 starters
from last year's group, here against
Wisconsin.

Iowa is lead by the dean of Big Ten football coaches, as Kirk Ferentz enters his 17th season as head coach. Iowa has finished 7-6, 4-8, 8-5 and 7-6 over the past four seasons and has not won a bowl game, since 2010.

The Hawkeyes actually were in the division race heading into the final two games at Kinnick Stadium last year, but lost 26-24 to Wisconsin, then lost 37-34 in OT to Nebraska to finish 4-4 in the Big Ten West.

Defense is often the key to success in the Big Ten. The top programs generally rank high in defense. Defense often fuels programs like Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Nebraska, the four programs that have played in the Big Ten title game over the past four seasons.

Junior QB Mitch Leidner is back
leading the Golden Gophers in '15.

One program that will likely build success off their defense in 2015 is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Coach Jerry Kill enters his fifth season at Minnesota, coming off his first winning Big Ten
season at 5-3. However, the Golden Gophers have not beat Wisconsin, since 2003, falling 34-24 in Madison, last season.

The 2015 College Football
TSN preview considers
Minnesota the Big Ten's
"underrated" program, while
Northwestern's receives the
"overrated" program tag.

The Golden Gophers offense must replace six starters, including their top rusher and four of five top receivers. The mix of ball control, defense and special teams will be the formula for the 2015 Gophers.

The Golden Gophers open the 2015 season on Thursday night in TCF Bank Stadium against a Top 4 team, with the TCU Horned Frogs coming to town. The Big Ten schedule will be a taxing as well, with a Big Ten game back to back on the road at Northwestern and Purdue, followed up with a Big Ten home opener vs. Nebraska. The out of division games are at home with Michigan, followed up with a game at Ohio State. The Golden Gophers travel to Iowa City, then finish of the Big Ten campaign with Illinois and Wisconsin at home.

Sophomore RB Justin Jackson
is back to build on his 1k season.

Northwestern has fallen on tough times with back to back to back 5-7 seasons under Pat Fitzgerald, who is entering his 10th season as head coach in Evanston. This was after a 10-3 season in 2012, with a 34-20 Gator Bowl win over Mississippi State.

Six starters are back on offense in 2015, including their leading rusher on the ground. But, the Wildcats are the only Big Ten West program, who have a question on who the #1 quarterback will be in 2015?

The offensive line has two new starters and was not highly regarded in 2014. The defense returns eight starters, but special teams are not highly regarded and the leader of the linebacker unit, Chi Chi Ariguzo has departed, leading questions in this unit for 2015.

The Wildcats open the 2015 season with Stanford coming to Ryan Field on Saturday of Week 1. Northwestern also travels to Duke in Week 3 of the 2015 College Football season.

Illinois is coming off their first bowl season, along with a win over Northwestern, under fourth year coach Mike Beckman. The Fighting Illini return junior QB Wes Lunt, along with seven other offensive starters. The offensive line will have to do a good job protecting their quarterback.

Junior QB Wes Lunt needs to remain
healthy, after missing five games, due
to injury in 2014.

Senior RB Josh Ferguson is one of eight
returning Illini offensive starters back.

Injuries are always a part of the game, and the Illini lost sophomore WR Mike Dudak to a knee injury during spring drills. Others will need to step up now in 2015.

The Fighting Illini return seven starters on the defensive side and have brought in a new co-DC Mike Phair, from the NFL.

Special teams should be decent heading into 2015, as well. The Fighting Illini face a challenging Big Ten schedule with a trip to Penn State and a date again with Ohio State. The Illini have a road trip to Tobacco Road and a date with North Carolina in the non-conference.

Lunt is the only letter-winner back at quarterback in 2015. So, durability will be very important for the former Oklahoma State quarterback, who has yet to complete a full season.  First year players back up the talented quarterback for the Illini.

Purdue enters their third season under coach Darrell Hazell. The Boilermakers are 1-15, with a 38-27 road win over Illinois last season. Otherwise, there continues to be a lot of work for the Boilermakers.

Eight starters return on offense, with seven starters back on defense. Special teams should be experienced, as well, for Hazell's third season.

The Boilermakers open the 2015 season on the road at Marshall on Sunday of the opening weekend. In Week 3, Virginia Tech comes to West Lafayette for another non-conference game. Indiana State and Bowling Green are the other two non-conference games in '15.

The Big Ten season opens with a road trip at Michigan State, then Minnesota comes to West Lafayette, followed by a road trip to Wisconsin. The Boilermakers will be battle tested in the first half of 2015.