Danny Payne, Pregame Editor: Wisconsin on Saturday, Iowa’s biggest test of the season thus far, and depending on how the rest of the schedule shakes out, it could be their biggest test for the rest of the year, period. Charlie, how much has Wisconsin changed from last year under head coach Paul Chryst?

Charlie Green, football reporter: I think the defense last year was their first year in the 3-4, and this year they’re back in it. That’s something that’s a little different. Offensively, they’re the same thing. They’re going to run the ball and they’re going to run it a lot. They’re going to throw a lot at you between the tackles, but they’re not going to throw a lot of deception at you. They’re not going to throw the ball downfield a whole lot. Joel Stave will take a shot downfield; they’ve got one pretty talented receiver in Alex Erickson to bring some balance to the offense.
But Iowa and everybody else in the country knows exactly what Wisconsin’s trying to do.

Payne: That could be even more true this year with Corey Clement out. That could put a little more pressure on Stave, but at the same time, this is Wisconsin, which is just a running-back factory.

On Iowa’s defensive line
Jordan Hansen, football reporter: The unit I’m looking to have a bounce-back game is the defensive line. I felt like the last couple weeks, it hasn’t shown a bunch — I think it has kind of been keeping neutral and hasn’t been getting pushed all over the field, because it’s kind of hard to push Jaleel Johnson all over the field, but I look for it to be able to get a push this game.

https://soundcloud.com/annyayne/pregame-podcast-8-a-big-b1g-game

Payne: Jordan, you brought up Jaleel Johsnon, I’m curious what your guys thoughts are on him. He’s replacing Carl Davis, which is no easy task. From everything I’ve seen and everyone I’ve talked to, it’s been a mixed-review type of thing.

Green: I didn’t think against Pittsburgh anyone played that well — visibly jumped off the page, so to speak. I think it’s important for him, especially coming from the inside, to get a push, get in the backfield, and disrupt some plays. I’ve seen some things that make him look really good, but he’s going to have to be more consistent I think.

Hansen: Nothing they’ve done has really been really awful. Maybe they haven’t been really good, but they haven’t been really awful. Especially with the way Iowa’s offense is playing, I think the Hawkeyes have a decent or even average defensive line. I think they’ll get it right against Wisconsin.