Big Ten West Notebook: Showdown in Madison overlooked by many

By foxsports
Published

There is a really good football game happening this week in Madison, Wisc., and not enough people are talking about it. 

The No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers are hosting the No. 18 Northwestern Wildcats at 2:30 CT in what has amounted to the battle for second place in the Big Ten West behind Iowa. 

After a tough loss to Iowa by four points, the Badgers have rattled off five wins in a row. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald talked about the job Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst is doing Monday during his press conference:

"Paul [Chryst] has done a terrific job. I know how he feels being at his alma mater, being here the amount of time that I have. He's done just a terrific job."

The Wildcats are led by their defense and a terrific running game. Chryst realizes the challenge his team faces moving the ball on them:

"I think they're playing -- you guys know this, too -- they're playing really well on defense. I think there is no doubt they're playing well on defense. You mentioned some of their guys, but I think the strength is that they've got a very good scheme, and I think their players know it. I think they've got good players. So good players and a good scheme, and I think they're playing with confidence. It's going to be a challenge for us. That's also an opportunity for us."

This winner of this game will be in the driver's seat to get to 10 wins, plus have a shot at a New Year's Day bowl game. 

Purdue shows faith in Hazell as losses mount

Winning at Purdue is not an easy accomplishment. Coach Darrell Hazell is finding that out currently. 

Hazell is just 6-28 since taking over the Boilermakers program in 2013 and 2-20 in conference play, though he got a win this season against Nebraska at home. That win was the school's first home win against a conference opponent since 2012.

Hazell has three years remaining on his contract and would be owed $6.6 million if fired after this season, so it makes financial sense to keep him around. Still, he is grateful for the support and was asked on Tuesday what it meant for the program:

"It helps in so many facets. Obviously in the recruiting front, the players in our locker room to our coaching staff, all those things that allow to you set your feet and continue to work extremely hard. You need to have that confidence from the powers that be behind you, so it was a huge boost for our program."

How much more time Hazell gets could depend largely on the willingness of the administration to pay his buyout if he is unable to get the team to a bowl next season.