Northern Iowa (10-3 overall, 7-1 MVC in 2011) at No. 12 Wisconsin (11-3, 7-2 Big Ten in 2011)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
Spread: No line
Watchability: Heisman-trophy candidate Montee Ball returns after tying the NCAA record for touchdowns in a season (39) and the Badgers kickoff a campaign for their third consecutive Rose Bowl trip. Coach Bret Bielema isn’t averse to running up the score on inferior opponents.
Shining Stars: Wisconsin: Montee Ball finished last season with six consecutive games of at least 137 yards rushing, including 15 touchdowns over that span. The Badgers' offensive line features two All-Big Ten candidates in C Travis Frederick(6-4, 328-pounds) and LT Ricky Wagner (6-6, 322-pounds), both of whom should create huge gaps for Ball to glide through. Northern Iowa: Sophomore running back David Johnson, who was the runnerup for MVC freshman of the year, finished the year with nine touchdowns on 822 rushing yards and 33 receptions for three touchdowns. He and fifth-year senior Carlos Anderson will share the halfback duties for the Panthers, ranked No. 7 in the FCS preseason poll.
Who could steal the show: Wisconsin: Junior quarterback Danny O’Brien, who transferred from Maryland this offseason, will make his debut for the Badgers. Certainly Montee Ball will have his fair share of touches but should the game get out of hand, O’Brien, the former ACC Rookie of the Year, could show off his arm that’s thrown for more than 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns the last two seasons. His favorite target will likely be former walk-on Jared Abbrederis, who after hauling in eight touchdowns for 933 yards last year, is one of the top returning receivers in the Big Ten. Northern Iowa: Senior defensive back Varmah Sonie finished 2011 with 70 tackles, three interceptions, and doubled as the Panthers’ punt returner. Forcing turnovers and winning the special teams battle may be the Panthers’ best chance on Saturday and the senior will play an integral role in both. Sonie was named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-MVC team and was named a preseason All-American by CSN.
You going? Ranking the road trip: If the beer is flowing and the brats are sizzling, you know it’s gameday in Madison. The party will start early Saturday morning and carry on late into the game as the 80,000 fans prepare to “Jump Around” at Camp Randall for the first time this season.
Magic number for Wisconsin: 39.75. In the past three years, Wisconsin has played four FCS schools and won each game by an average of 39.75 points.
Magic number Northern Iowa: 20. The Panthers are 70-5 when holding opponents to 20 points or less under head coach Mark Farley (2001-present). The last time the Badgers scored less than 20 points was in the 2010 Rose Bowl, a 21-19 loss to TCU.
The game comes down to: Whether Northern Iowa can keep up with Wisconsin’s bruising offense. The Badgers' running game is unyielding and willing to continually pound the ball on the ground for four quarters. The rushing attack ranked 11th in the country last season with 235 yards per game.
Prediction: Wisconsin 49-13
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.