IU looks to claim 3rd Big Ten win

IU Coach Kevin Wilson refuses to look beyond this Saturday.

He knows what is at stake if the Hoosiers win this game.

With a lead in the Big Ten Leaders Division and their postseason hopes in the balance, the Hoosiers (4-5, 2-3) will host Wisconsin (6-3, 3-2) Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

“I think very few people are good enough to look at the end, because if you do, you miss where you’re going,” Wilson said. “We’re just totally ingrained in getting better every day and trying to add up good working days. Hopefully, that will result in victories.”

After losing to Navy on Oct. 20 and the Hoosiers’ record dropped to 2-5, the team refocused on a one-day-at-a-time mentality, Wilson said.

Since then, the Hoosiers have won two straight games.

With a win Saturday, IU will be one game from bowl eligibility and have a direct path to the Big Ten Championship game. If they win that, the Hoosiers will be Pasadena-bound.

While players and coaches alike admitted they are aware of the opportunity at hand, they said they cannot look past Wisconsin.

“It’s in the back of the head, and you can’t deny it,” senior defensive tackle Larry Black Jr. said. “But we have to be getting better every day, because we’ll need to be playing our best football against Wisconsin.”

Black, along with the rest of IU’s veterans, know why Wisconsin is such a formidable opponent. Last season, the Hoosiers suffered their largest margin of defeat in a game against the Badgers, a 59-7 loss in Madison, Wis.

In 2010, the Badgers beat IU 83-20.

Much of the reason can be attributed to Wisconsin’s rushing attack, which returns its two leading rushers, Montee Ball and James White.

Since 2009, the two have combined for 655 yards rushing and 11 total touchdowns against the Hoosiers in only three games.

Come Saturday, the Badgers are also playing for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. If they win against the Hoosiers, they will clinch the Leaders Division and a trip to Indianapolis.

“If there’s any kind of confusion or misdirection and you’re slow to react, you’re going to be in trouble against Wisconsin,” Defensive Coordinator Doug Mallory said. “With their backs, if you give them a crease, they’re going to hit it.”

Saturday’s game will be significant for IU’s seniors. It will be IU Senior Day as Black and starters defensive tackle Adam Replogle and center Will Matte will be among those honored.

As they play for the final time at Memorial Stadium, the seniors know it will be a game that could vault the team into the postseason for the first time in their careers.

Still, Wilson said the team needs to be as focused and level-headed as possible to beat Wisconsin.

“We’re not going to have an emotional Senior Day, and we’re not going to be teary-eyed,” Wilson said. “We’ll recognize the seniors and thank the parents, but this team has a bunch of football left to play.”