Northwestern might be a little lucky to be 8-2 this year, but the Wildcats have far exceeded expectations, and they’ve played a tough schedule to get there. It might not always be pretty — with close wins against Nebraska, Penn State and Purdue in the past three weeks — and the offense is atrocious a lot of the time, but Northwestern will be back in the postseason after two straight 5-7 seasons, and the Wildcats could end up in a pretty good bowl game.
Northwestern vs. Wisconsin 2015: Start time, live stream, TV schedule and 3 things to know
Which mystery team will rise to the occasion?
Wisconsin is also 8-2, and like Northwestern, nationally ranked. But unlike Northwestern, which has some surprising losses and surprising wins, the Badgers have had a relatively boring season. They’ve played a pretty easy schedule, lost to the two best teams they’ve faced — Alabama and Iowa — and beaten the rest.
This game will be an interesting test for both teams. Wisconsin has yet to face an opponent like Northwestern. The Wildcats are somewhere between Alabama and Iowa, and Rutgers and Maryland. Meanwhile, Northwestern will likely play a close game yet again, against a team that similarly relies on its defense to win. We’ll find out which team is most worthy of a top 15 spot after this game.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Radio: Northwestern, Wisconsin
Online streaming: BTN2GO
Spread: Wisconsin is favored by 11 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Bucky’s 5th Quarter for Wisconsin fans and Inside NU for Northwestern fans.
Three big things to know
1. Wisconsin will know whether it still has a chance to win the Big Ten West by the start of the game. The Badgers need to win out, and have Iowa lose out, to win. Iowa plays at Noon ET.
2. Neither offense has been impressive this year. The winner could be determined by which one rises to the occasion.
3. The away team hasn’t won a game in this series since the turn of the millennium.
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