Nebraska vs. Wisconsin: Game of the Week Breakdown

College football's Week 5 primetime matchup features Wisconsin and Nebraska. Both are unbeaten and considered favorites in the Big Ten.

Neither team has faced stiff competition so far this season. This could prove to be a trial by fire for both squads.

Nebraska has had a relatively easy first four weeks. However, they did surrender 61 total points against Fresno State and Washington in Weeks 2 and 3.

Wisconsin has faced even less competition. The victories have been more lopsided. Through the first four weeks, Wisconsin averages nearly 49 points per game and gives up just under nine points per game.

Every team's first major test is always anticipated. When the first major test comes in-conference, even more so.

Nebraska would love to show their clout in their first major test in their new conference. Wisconsin wants to show Nebraska the Big Ten already had a few good teams before their arrival.

Here is how Saturday night's clash breaks down:

The Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson's arrival in Madison was highly-anticipated the second he announced his transfer from N.C. State. Through four games, Wilson has not disappointed.

Wilson has already cleared the 1,000 yard plateau. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and one interception. Combined with a 76 percent completion rate, and Wilson has a whopping 218.4 quarterback rating.

Wisconsin has not had a quarterback with Wilson's skill set in a very long time, if ever. Wilson has dual-threat ability. Because of his experience, Wilson is also a leader despite being a new face in the Big Ten.

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez also is a dual threat, although he relies on his legs much more than Wilson does because of the nature of the Cornhuskers' offense.

Martinez has 647 yards through the air and four touchdowns. He has completed just 50 percent of his passes and has thrown two interceptions. On the ground, Martinez has carried the ball 63 times for 421 yards and seven touchdowns.

In this game, the advantage goes to Wilson. Martinez is a dynamic runner, but Wilson's skill set is more consistent overall. Wilson is also a great leader behind center.

The Running Backs

Wisconsin has one of the best rushing attacks in the country. For college football fans, this should come as no surprise.

Montee Ball and James White are perfect compliments to one another. Ball pounds the ball north and south. White makes people miss and has the speed to get to the edge.

Ball has rushed for nine touchdowns on 360 yards this season. White has three touchdowns for 303 yards on the ground.

Nine touchdowns showcase Ball's nose for the endzone. White's 6.7 yards per carry show his home-run ability in the open field.

Nebraska actually ranks ahead of Wisconsin in terms of yards per game on the ground. However, Taylor Martinez's production is a very big part of that.

Out of the backfield, Rex Burkhead compliments Martinez. He has run for 420 yards and seven touchdowns.

In terms of run offense, Nebraska holds the overall advantage. But with Ball and White toting the rock for the Badgers, the advantage in the backfield goes to Wisconsin.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Neither Nebraska or Wisconsin relies on their receiving targets to win games. Each team will be focusing on stopping the ground game. This could lead to unexpected heroes emerging at wide receiver.

Wisconsin is led by Nick Toon. Toon has 21 catches and five touchdowns so far this season. His 6'3'' frame make him a dangerous threat in the redzone.

Jared Abbrederis is Russell Wilson's second option. He has 15 catches for one touchdown.

Wisconsin loves to run the football. This cuts down on the statistical production of their receivers. Despite this, Toon and Abbrederis are reliable targets. If given the chance, both can do damage through the air.

Tight end Jacob Pedersen is reliable as well. He has 11 catches. Four of those catches were touchdowns.

Nebraska rarely relies on the passing attack. Jamal Turner and Quincy Enunwa each have eight catches. This ties them for the team lead. Four players are tied with the touchdown lead. They each have one touchdown snag.

Tight end Kyler Reed is also a factor, with five catches for 137 yards on the year.

Advantage: Wisconsin again. Nebraska's group has less talent, and are underutilized.

The Offensive Lines

Wisconsin and Nebraska both had to replace talent and experience on their offensive line from last season. So far, so good for both Big Ten titans.

Ricky Wagner and Josh Oglesby are the new bookends for Bret Bielema and the Badgers. Oglesby is a former 5-star recruit but has never realized his potential. Wagner started the final nine games of 2010. His experience and talent make him a very formidable presence at left tackle.

Travis Frederick, Peter Konz and Kevin Zeitler make up the Badgers' interior line. Konz was extremely impressive as the center last season. The reliance on the run game makes the Badgers' interior line vital to their success.

The Cornhuskers also must replace talent and experience from last season.

Jemarcus Hardrick starts at left tackle. He is a senior and has significant playing experience. Tyler Moore lines up at right tackle. Moore is a freshman, but he has been very impressive so far. Both seem to be improving each week.

The inexperience lies in the middle. Ricky Henry and Keith Williams are no longer manning their posts on the interior. Andrew Rodriguez and Brent Qvale have taken over. They are not experienced. However, they continue to improve every game like their exterior counterparts.

Wisconsin holds the advantage by a hair. Slightly more experienced and more talented by a slim margin.

The Defensive Lines

Wisconsin's defensive line and Nebraska's defensive line are very different stories. Wisconsin uses up to 10 different players up front. Nebraska's starters played every game together last season.

Wisconsin's Patrick Butrym and Louis Nzegwu are fifth-year seniors. They are joined by David Gilbert and Ethan Hemer to round out the starting front four.

Pat Muldoon, Tyler Dippel, Beau Allen and Kyle Costigan also see time on the front line. Jordan Kohout and Brendan Kelly rotate in as well.

The Badgers lack a superstar on the front line. However, they have plenty of experience and plenty of fresh legs to trot out on the field.

The Cornhuskers do not lack a superstar up front.

Defensive tackle Jared Crick has a major impact on every game. He finished last year with 70 tackles and 17 tackles for a loss. He also had 9.5 sacks. Baker Steinkuhler is no slouch next to Crick, either. He was productive last season and has looked solid in 2011.

On the ends, Cameron Meredith and Josh Williams apply pressure. Both are workhorses and give a solid effort every week.

The Cornhuskers hold the advantage on the defensive front. Depth and experience are a nice combination. However, talent and experience is better.

The Linebackers

Nebraska and Wisconsin both run the ball extremely well. Both defensive lines should eat up space and blocks up front. Because of this, both linebacker units will be very important Saturday night.

Wisconsin is led by sophomore Chris Borland in the middle. Borland is short, but stout. His tackling ability and instincts make up for any shortcomings in terms of size or athleticism.

Next to Borland are Mike Taylor and Kevin Claxton. Both have great speed and playmaking ability.

Wisconsin needs plays to come from this group. Taylor, Claxton, and Borland will be relied upon to contain the spread attack run by the Cornhuskers.

The Cornhuskers boast one of the best linebackers in the nation.

Lavonte David entered Lincoln with a bang last season. The former junior-college transfer finished third in the nation in tackles. He was also named to several All-American teams. He is an exceptional athlete and a true game-changer.

Will Compton and Sean Fisher compliment David's ability. Both are experienced and solid at their positions.

The Cornhuskers hold the advantage at linebacker because of David. He is the best linebacker on the field and possibly the best defensive player overall. Fisher and Compton round out a very solid unit for Bo Pelini and the Huskers.

The Secondaries

Nebraska and Wisconsin both have their own stars in the secondary. The Cornhuskers boast one of the deepest defensive backfields in the entire nation.

The Badgers are led by free safety Aaron Henry. He has great size and speed. He had over 50 tackles last season and seven pass break-ups. His versatility and leadership make him a valuable asset for Wisconsin.

Shelton Johnson plays alongside Henry. He is undersized but is great in coverage.

At corner, Devin Smith and Marcus Cromartie give the Badgers two solid corners. Both were reserves last season but have the talent to emerge as a solid duo in the Big Ten.

The Cornhuskers are privileged to have one of the best cover-corners in the nation. Alfonzo Dennard may not have the statistics. However, that is only because teams avoid throwing in his direction.

Ciante Evans and new corner Corey Cooper are solid compliments to the dynamic Dennard. Cooper was a top talent at safety before moving to corner this week. Evans gained experience last season and looks to be the next playmaker in the Nebraska secondary.

Courtney Osborne and Austin Cassidy round out the Nebraska secondary. Both are solid in the box and against the pass. Safety P.J. Smith is another playmaker to keep an eye on.

The Badgers and the Cornhuskers both have very solid secondaries. Assuming Dennard is full speed, he is the best defensive back for either team. Henry is not far behind.

Nebraska gets the slightest edge.

The Kickers

Nebraska and Wisconsin are very evenly matched on both sides of the ball. The game should be very close. If it is, the kicking game will play a major factor.

Nebraska uses Brett Maher for their kicking duties. He is 8-9 so far this season. His long is 50 yards. Maher also averages around 49 yards per punt as the starting punter for the Cornhuskers.

The Badgers entrust kicking duties to freshman Kyle French. Because of the lack of competition, French only has two field goals so far this season. His long is 29 yards. He has missed two field goals, both from over 50 yards.

Maher has been used more this season and is more experienced. Therefore, he is more prepared to hit a big kick if the situation arises.

Nebraska holds the advantage with the versatile Maher striking the ball.

Conclusion and Prediction

The Big Ten is set to start with a bang Saturday night. Nebraska and Wisconsin will both be there at the end of the year regardless of the result of this game.

Offensively, both teams love to ground and pound. Nebraska does so out of the shotgun in their spread attack. Wisconsin uses a more straight-forward approach.

In terms of passing, Wisconsin is more capable. Russell Wilson has eased the loss of Scott Tolzien from last season. He is an excellent leader and has shown the ability to make all of the throws through four games.

Defensively, Nebraska is very solid at all three levels. Jared Crick, Lavonte David and Alfonzo Dennard give the Cornhuskers three stars at all three levels. However, they are surrendering 22 points per game so far this season.

Overall, these teams are as close as two teams can be. Wisconsin holds the edge offensively. Defensively, Nebraska has the talent, but Wisconsin has the production so far this season.

In the end, Wisconsin will pull out a win.

Prediction: Wisconsin 24 Nebraska 21