Watch Guide: Wisconsin Badgers at Nebraska preview and notes

All the updates and information surrounding Saturday's game between Wisconsin and Nebraska, including how to watch the game, betting odds, game notes, and news heading into Week 12.

Following back-to-back wins under interim head coach Jim Leonhard, the Wisconsin Badgers dropped an ugly game in Iowa City a week ago. 

This weekend, Leonhard and the Badgers will look to bounce back against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday. The game is incredibly important for Wisconsin, as the team looks to maintain control over the Freedom Trophy and secure bowl eligibility for 21 seasons in a row. 

As we do with every game this season, All Badgers has your gameday watch guide to help you be fully prepared for Saturday in Lincoln. 

Contents

1. Game details and television information
2. SI Sportsbook for betting
3. Player news
4. Player and coaching connections
5. Pre-game Notes
6. Articles to get you ready
7. Quote of the week

Game details and television information

• Wisconsin Badgers (5-5 overall) at the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-7)
• Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CST from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• The game will be aired on the ESPN
• Matt Lepay will call the game on Badger Sports Network (Varsity Network App)
• Weather forecast: a high of 31 degrees and 19-mile-per-hour winds at kickoff

SI Sportsbook for betting

• Spread: Wisconsin is a 10-point favorite
• Over/Under: 39 points

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi is back this week after missing several games with a wrist injury. 

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Player news

The following players will not be available on Saturday for Wisconsin:

• Outside linebacker Aaron Witt (RS Sophomore) - right leg injury
• * Cornerback Al Ashford (RS Freshman) - left leg injury
• * Defensive end Isaac Townsend (RS Junior) - left leg injury
• * Tight end Clay Cundiff (RS Junior) - left leg injury
• * Safety Travian Blaylock (Senior) - right knee injury
• * Defensive end Mike Jarvis (Freshman) - left leg injury
• * Inside linebacker Luna Larson (Freshman) - right leg injury
• * Tight end Cam Large (RS Sophomore) - right leg injury

A (*) denotes that a player is listed out for the season.

The following players are questionable after missing the past few weeks with injuries:

• Defensive end Isaiah Mullens (RS Senior)
• Nose tackle Gio Paez (RS Junior)

Wisconsin head coach Jim Leonhard confirmed that running back Chez Mellusi will be available this weekend for the Badgers, while Nebraska will also get back starting quarterback Casey Thompson. 

Player and coaching connections

The following Nebraska player and coaches have connections back to Wisconsin:

• No. 55 Brady Weas: senior long-snapper from Whitefish Bay High School (Wis.)
• Defensive coordinator Bill Busch was previously the safeties and special teams coach at Wisconsin from 2013-2014. 
• Offensive line coach Donovan Raiola played college football at Wisconsin from 2003 to 2005 and then went on to a six-year NFL career. 
• Nebraska's recruiting director Vince Guinta held a similar role from 2013 to 2014 at Wisconsin.
• There are no players on Wisconsin's roster from the state of Nebraska. 

Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph joking with defensive coordinator Bill Busch. 

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Pre-game Notes

• The Badgers have win the last eight meetings with Nebraska, including all six games since the introduction of the Freedom Trophy in 2014. 
• Wisconsin has a 3-3 record at Memorial Stadium, and leads the all-time series 11-4 overall.
• Wisconsin has won 25 of the last 30 rivalry trophy games against Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. 

• Outside linebacker Nick Herbig leads the Big Ten in sacks (11) and tackles for loss this year (15.5), and is coming off of a three-sack performance against Iowa a week ago. He ranks No. 2 in the nation for sacks this season. 
• Wisconsin safety John Torchio ranks No. 2 in the country and leads the Big Ten with five interceptions. He has taken two of them back for touchdowns. 
• Braelon Allen became just the fifth Wisconsin running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons in Madison. A year ago, Allen had 223 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Cornhuskers. 

• The Badgers have had four different players record a sack in back-to-back games. 
• Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is back after missing the past couple games with an injury. He has thrown for over 2,000 yards this season with 12 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. 
• Nebraska leads the Big Ten in punt return average and as a team are No. 7 in the country. 

Articles to get you ready

• Three questions for Wisconsin versus Nebraska
• Wisconsin versus Nebraska by the numbers
• Wisconsin's injury report and depth chart for Nebraska

Quote of the week

“You wish you could have all the lessons coming after wins and really forcing your guys to stay focused that way, but sometimes you come up short. Our guys are workers. They care about each other. I’m excited for the challenge and we have to move on quick in order to have success next week.” - Wisconsin HC Jim Leonhard

Related links:

• A healthy Hunter Wohler brings versatility to the Wisconsin defense
• Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton accepts an invitation for the Senior Bowl
• Wisconsin football recruiting rundown (November 18)

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