Nebraska vs. Wisconsin: Cornhuskers First Big 10 Game Will Be Ultimate Test

Forget the SEC, the biggest conference game this weekend is No. 8 Nebraska's opener in Big Ten play against No. 7 Wisconsin.

The game later tonight features the two best teams in the Big Ten—both teams are off to a 4-0 start.

Nebraska made the move to the conference this year, and this game will be their first-ever conference game.

The Cornhuskers have relied heavily on quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead on the ground.They have done so in almost perfect distribution.

Martinez has 63 carries for 421 yards and seven touchdowns. Burkhead has 63 carries for 420 yards and seven touchdowns.

Through the air Martinez has done nothing spectacular, completing just 50 percent of his passes for 647 yards.

Despite this, the ground game has been enough for Nebraska to put up 42.8 points per game, which ranks 12th in the nation.

What's surprising is how much Nebraska has struggled on defense against sub-par opponents.

The Cornhuskers are typically known for their stout defense, but so far they have allowed 22 points per game, which is abnormally high for the group.

The defense allowed 29 points to a Fresno State team and 38 points against Washington. That defense will end up being the difference maker tonight.

Wisconsin is ranked No. 7 in the nation—it's probably too low.

For years, the only draw back on the Badgers team was the passing game. They have been one of the top teams in the nation on the ground and on defense in recent history.

That's not the case any more.

North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson now leads Wisconsin from the quarterback position. So far this year, Wilson has completed 75.8 percent of his passes for 1,136 yards. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and only one interception.

As fantastic as that sounds, the passing game still comes second for the Badgers. Wisconsin has run the ball almost twice as much as they have thrown it through four weeks of play.

There were many doubts about the offensive line after the loss of key components John Moffitt and Gabe Carimi to the NFL.

Those worries have since vanished.

Montee Ball has 360 yards and nine touchdowns. James White has run for 303 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, Wisconsin has 982 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Nebraska's 42.8 points per game has nothing on Wisconsin's 48.5 points per game.

On top of having the sixth-best scoring offense, the Badgers also have the third-best scoring defense. They are allowing just 8.5 points per game.

In particular, they are allowing just 2.9 yards per carry for opposing offenses.

If Wisconsin can shut down the Nebraska running game, this could turn into a blowout.

Wisconsin is going to be able to put up points against a struggling Nebraska defense. The question is whether or not Nebraska will be able to keep up.

Chances are, they won't.

Wisconsin isn't just the best team in the Big Ten, they should be recognized as one of the best in the country.