Wisconsin still has a real shot at the Big Ten West if a few things happen today

Wisconsin was expected to capture the Big Ten West and take another at a Big Ten title entering the season.

Things have obviously not gone according to plan. The team sits 0-2 in Big Ten play and 1-3 overall—two games behind No. 3 Iowa in the Big Ten West.

A lot will need to go right for the Badgers to reverse course and rise back to the top of the division. A good sign for Paul Chryst’s team, though, is a lot of Big Ten play is still on the horizon including a battle with old friend Bret Bielema in Champaign, Illinois today.

Wisconsin still has a real mathematical shot at the Big Ten West. It sounds crazy to say after a disappointing start, but if the team gets some help today it will be back to controlling its own destiny.

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What’s that help? No. 4 Penn State needs to go into Iowa, City and take down No. 3 Iowa.

If that happens and Wisconsin wins against Illinois the Badgers will be one game behind the Hawkeyes with a matchup between the two still to come in a few weeks. That would mean the Badgers would then have a chance at winning out in-conference and capturing the division title.

Wisconsin needs to get better play from the offensive line, consistent play from quarterback Graham Mertz and continued dominance on the defensive side of the football.

For Badger fans, today’s rooting interests are clear: Wisconsin needs to take care of business against Illinois and Penn State needs to beat Iowa.

Enjoy your college football Saturday.

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