Weekend Spotlight: No. 14 Nebraska vs. Wisconsin

The second-ever Big Ten Championship goes down this weekend, with the outcome having direct and indirect impact on conference options for the Capital One Bowl.

Kickoff: 8:17 PM EST

Television: FOX

Series: Tied 3-3

Series since 2011 when the Big Ten Championship was added: 1-1

Last Meeting: September 29, 2012, Nebraska 30, Wisconsin 27

Line, just in case you want to know who is favored, not because you are betting on this game, right?: Nebraska by 3 as of Thursday

Wisconsin looks to win their third straight Big Ten Championship and second in the era of the Big Ten Championship Game.  Wisconsin (7-5) didn’t win the Leaders Division but since Ohio State and Penn State are both ineligible for postseason play the Badgers will be the representative from the Leaders division.

Nebraska (10-2) in only their second year in the Big Ten, won six straight since a 25-point loss at Ohio State on Oct. 6. They won their division outright when Michigan lost to the Buckeyes and will be playing for their first conference championship since winning the Big 12 in 1999.

Nebraska will be led by QB Taylor Martinez who has thrown for 2483 yards and 21 TDs while completing 63 percent of his passes.

On the other side Wisconsin is led by running back Montee Ball who is seventh in the country in rushing yards with 1528 yards; his 18 TDs are tied for ninth in the country.  This season Ball became the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I) career rushing leader.

Stat That Makes It Sound Like Nebraska Should Win: Nebraska has won six straight games by an average of 27 points a game.

Stat That Makes It Sound Like Wisconsin Should Win: Wisconsin is 17th in the country in points allowed (18/game).  They also won the inaugural Big 10 championship 42-39 over Michigan State. The Badgers are looking for their 14th Big Ten title and a third straight league title for the first time in school history.