By Brent Neevel, Sports Writer

Wisconsin goes into Saturday’s game against the Iowa Hawkeyes tied with two other schools sporting a 4-3 record in the Big Ten.

This leaves the team’s bowl picture largely up in the air. As the Big Ten season comes to a close this weekend, the bowl picture will begin to sort itself out. If the dominos fall the right way the team could move up into a tie for fourth place, and possibly even an Outback Bowl birth Jan. 1.

But without a win over Iowa those dreams are impossible. With these five keys in mind the Badgers can reach for their dreams.

Protect Jim Sorgi

The Wisconsin passing game has finally reached some of the high expectations set for it in the pre-season. Over the past two weeks Jim Sorgi has passed for almost 700 yards and nine touchdowns. Another strong performance in the air will likely be necessary if the Badgers hope to get past Iowa’s fourth ranked defense in the league.

Sorgi will not be able to continue to play this way if he does not have time to throw. The offensive line must continue to give the receivers time to get open, and allow for the passing circus to continue. Picking up the blitz will also be a huge factor as it will allow Sorgi to find the open man, and exploit the mismatches created in the defense.

The past couple of weeks Sorgi has also shown his ability to hang in the pocket despite taking punishing blows upon his release. These hits on him have to be limited as Wisconsin can ill afford to have Sorgi miss time against the Hawkeyes.

Establish the run

With Anthony Davis again doubtful and Booker Stanley injuring himself against the Spartans, the Badgers will again look to Dwayne Smith to pick up the slack in the running game. Last week he took the ball for 21 carries and 207 yards. A similar performance would go a long way to ensuring a Wisconsin victory.

Typically the Badgers are much more successful if they can get the running game in gear. Iowa is allowing only 89 yards per game on the ground. The Badgers will most likely have to gain more than that to have a chance to win the game. Failure to do so may put way too much pressure on the passing game to produce. Success running the ball early should lead to an increased ability to keep the Hawkeyes off balance.

The Hawkeyes have two dangerous running backs capable of causing havoc in 1,000 yard rusher Fred Russell and Jermelle Lewis. Lewis is coming off knee surgery, and combined with Russell could give the Badger defense fits.

The defense must focus on shutting down Iowa’s running game, thus forcing them to have to put the ball in the air. The Hawkeyes rank dead last in the Big Ten in passing yards per game averaging a measly 169 yards. Stopping the run early would force the Hawkeyes into the uncomfortable position of having to throw the ball often. The Badgers would then be able to drop more men in coverage to shut down Iowa. Forcing Hawkeye quarterback Nathan Chandler to throw should give Wisconsin a much better opportunity to pull this game out.

Kicking game

Iowa has one of the best kickers in the country in Nate Kaeding. Kaeding excels at both field goals and kickoffs. He has hit 15 of 16 field goals on the season, and consistently booms his kickoffs into the end zone.

Wisconsin has struggled in the kicking game all season. Kickoff man Scott Campbell has had trouble booting the ball deep on a consistent basis, and has struggled filling in when place kicker Mike Allen was hurt. Allen has battled injury problems all season, and has been shaky all season despite connecting on 7 of 9 attempts.

Both teams have been fairly solid punting the ball all year long.

In a close game, field position could play a huge role. It is important for Campbell to get the ball deep down the field, and for R.J. Morse to continue to kick well to even out the field position battle for Wisconsin. Mike Allen must also put points on the board every opportunity that he has. In a close game the Badgers cannot afford to miss opportunities to score.

Control emotions

Saturday is Senior Day at Camp Randall. It will be the last chance for the senior class to prove what they can do in front of the home crowd. Emotions will be running high. Parents will be on hand. It will begin to set in that the Badger uniform will not be worn for much longer.

It would be easy for the players to get caught up in the moment, but they need to keep their emotions in check. They need to channel their energy into the game, and let everyone feed off of it. The seniors need to lead by example for one last home game.