The Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will be without two of their star players when they battles Nebraska (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday. Those are safety Hunter Wohler and wide receiver Will Pauling. Both left the second half of the team’s Week 12 loss to Oregon with injuries. Neither was ready to return for Saturday’s matchup.

The Badgers, playing under interim leadership at offensive coordinator after the firing of Phil Longo, may find the jolt they need to get back on track. With bowl eligibility on the line, this feels like a prime opportunity for Wisconsin football to lean on its defense, establish its ground game, and capitalize on Nebraska’s inability to close.

After a tumultuous week that begin with head coach Luke Fickell firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo, are the Cornhuskers just the opponent the Badgers need? Wisconsin has won its last 10 games against Nebraska, a streak that began in 2012. Like the ...