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Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst shares why the Badgers have struggled to beat Northwestern in recent years
By Rolando Rosa
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If No. 10 Wisconsin (3-0) wants to remain undefeated, they’ll have to hand No. 19 Northwestern (4-0) its first loss of the season on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CST/ABC).
Wisconsin has had their share of struggles against Northwestern recently. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 60-36-5 but have gone 3-3 in the last 6 meetings.
During his Thursday press conference, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst explained all the factors as to why Northwestern has been such a pesky foe:
“I think they’re really well coached,” Chryst said via 247Sports. “They got really good players. They’re a team, I don’t care if you’re talking about their offense, our defense, our offense, their defense, special teams, they’re not going to give you anything. You got to go earn it all and it comes down to executing, and it takes 11 guys on each play to do that.
“I think that’s what makes them a team that’s fun to play because you have to be on. Moments and the games and the times that we’ve been on, we’ve had a good chance at it. When you’re not and when you don’t play good football then it makes it a lot harder.”
This season’s edition will certainly be a challenge for Wisconsin. Northwestern is 4-0 for the first time since 1996. The Wisconsin offense will be going up against a Northwestern defense that ranks seventh nationally in points per game (14.0).
Wisconsin cruised to a 45-7 win in Week 1 vs. Illinois, then had their games against Nebraska and Purdue cancelled due to COVID-19. Wisconsin returned last week with a convincing 49-11 victory at Michigan.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.