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When Wisconsin took on Michigan State two weeks ago in its Big Ten Conference opener, the Badgers fell behind 20-10 in the second quarter and could never quite catch up as MSU earned a 34-24 victory.
That first-half deficit is a key reason the Badgers (5-1, 1-1) are ranked 16th this week while the Spartans are 11th at 6-0 and 2-0 and have designs on running the table. And, Wisconsin running back John Clay says, a repeat performance must be avoided Saturday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) if the Badgers are to upset top-ranked Ohio State and stay in serious contention for the league title.
"Starting fast will be important," says Clay, who shared the conference offensive player of the week award with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor after gaining 111 yards on 21 carries, including three touchdowns, in a 41-23 win against Minnesota.
"We started too slowly against Michigan State, and it was too late when we finally got going. It's going to take a four-quarter game this week, and we have to give all-out effort in every way."
And staying in contention in the early going will help keep what promises to be a large (80,000-plus) and boisterous Camp Randall Stadium crowd fully engaged.
And that would further fuel one of the nation's foremost home-field advantages.
Since the start of the 2004 season, when head coach Bret Bielema joined the Wisconsin staff as defensive coordinator, the Badgers are 40-4 at Camp Randall Stadium. That's the best home record in the Big Ten in that span (Ohio State is 40-5 in the same period) and tied for third best in the nation.
"We like to take advantage of the situation when we're home, and our fans really support us," Clay says.
The Buckeyes took over the top spot in the polls this week after Alabama lost at South Carolina, but Clay says that doesn't mean the Badgers are preparing any differently.
However, Bielema, who revealed that he voted Ohio State No. 1 this week, pointed out to his team that most players in college football never get a chance to play against a top-ranked team during their careers.
The Badgers haven't beaten a No. 1 club since topping Michigan on Sept. 12, 1981, in Madison.
To do it this time, Wisconsin will need to contain Pryor, who Bielema notes continues to improve and develop into an all-around threat in his junior season.
Pryor earned his share of the league's offensive player of the week award after throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Indiana. Hampered somewhat by a leg injury, Pryor shelved his running game -- he's still second on the team at 59.0 yards a game -- and became more of a passer against the Hoosiers.
That gives Wisconsin's defense something else to think about, although he's expected to be healthier this week.
"We have to find him and contain him," Badgers defensive lineman J.J. Watt says. "We have to close down the pocket, because he finds the (open) rush lanes and gets there quickly."
Wisconsin can counter offensively with its running tandem, featuring Clay, a typical Badgers power back at 6-1, 248 pounds, and freshman James White, the lightning to Clay's thunder.
Clay, last season's conference offensive player of the year, averages 115.3 yards a game on the ground and is the nation's 14th-leading rusher. At 5-10, 198 pounds, White is gaining 80.8 yards a game and 7.7 a carry.
"We're different types of backs," Clay says. "He's a smaller guy
and has nice breakaway speed and agility. It's working well. We're
keeping each other fresh, and the defense can't just lock in on one
style."
