No. 1 Oregon puts its unbeaten record at stake as it visits Wisconsin

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Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden reacts to a play during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

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Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball as Maryland defensive lineman Daniel Owens (39) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 39-18. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

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Wisconsin place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) celebrates with teammates after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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Wisconsin’s Braedyn Locke (18) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Penn State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST (NBC)

BETMGM College Football Odds: Oregon by 14

Series record: Tied 3-3

What’s at stake?

Oregon attempts to maintain its No. 1 ranking and seeks its first 11-0 start since 2010, the year it lost to Cam Newton and Auburn in the BCS championship game. Wisconsin needs one more win to become bowl eligible and two more wins to clinch a 23rd straight winning season, the longest such active streak among Power Four teams. Wisconsin is attempting to beat a top-ranked team for the first time since its 31-18 victory over Ohio State in 2010.

Key matchup

Wisconsin running game vs. Oregon run defense: Wisconsin’s best chance at pulling the upset is to shorten the game and keep Oregon’s offense on the sidelines as much as possible. Wisconsin’s success recently has depended on Tawee Walker’s production. Walker rushed for 418 yards and six touchdowns during a three-game winning streak that included routs of Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern. But he’s been limited to a combined 111 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries his last two games as Wisconsin fell to No. 4 Penn State (No. 4 CFP) and Iowa. Oregon ranks just 10th out of 18 Big Ten teams in run defense.

Not PARSE.LY: College football

No. 7 BYU can take another step toward Big 12 championship game with a victory over Kansas

No. 7 BYU looks to turn back Kansas’ upset bid

No. 6 Tennessee faces No. 11 Georgia in a de facto playoff game between the hedges

Players to watch

Oregon: QB Dillon Gabriel has completed a Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 74.1% of his passes for 2,848 yards with 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He has been responsible for 180 career touchdowns (147 passing, 32 rushing, one receiving) and last week became the NCAA’s all-time leader in that category.

Wisconsin: LB Christian Alliegro is coming off a 16-tackle performance in Wisconsin’s 42-10 loss at Iowa. That represented the highest single-game tackle total for any Badger since Leo Chenal had 17 against Army in 2021.

Facts & figures

This marks the first matchup between these two teams since Oregon edged Wisconsin 28-27 in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020. Oregon has won its last three meetings with Wisconsin. … Wisconsin is 2-14 in its last 16 games against Top 25 teams. That includes an 0-5 mark during Luke Fickell’s two seasons as head coach. … Wisconsin has allowed only two plays of 40-plus yards this season to match Ohio State for the fewest by any FBS defense. … Oregon is the third top-five team to visit Camp Randall Stadium this season. Wisconsin lost 42-10 to then-No. 4 Alabama on Sept. 14 and fell 28-13 to then-No. 3 Penn State on Oct. 26.

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