Logan Hanson
FightingIllini.com

The Illini will have a tall task this weekend as they travel Madison, Wisconsin, to face the Wisconsin Badgers in Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. Wisconsin is known for having a big and physical element to their game both offensively and defensively. The Illini understand that it will be a battle for the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and that it will ultimately have an impact on who will win the game.

"They want to grind it out, play tough man ball," said head coach Lovie Smith. "So that's the challenge…they are a running football team that will occasionally pass…on the defensive side they play hard, they're sound, they play fundamental football and I think they are a good fundamental team that wins football games that way by not beating themselves a lot."

For the Illini defense stopping the running attack and sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor, who is second in the nation with 950 yards on the ground, will be critical to the success of the team. The Wisconsin offensive line averages a whopping 316 pounds and has four members who were listed on the Outland Trophy (awarded to the best lineman in college football) Watch List this preseason which has helped fuel the Badgers sixth ranked rushing offense. Although it will be a difficult task, the defense is excited for the physical matchup.

"Up front it will be the biggest test we will face all year, but at the same time it's about what we're doing, how we execute, how we fit things up, that's gonna be key for us," said defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson. "It's big boy, run right at you football so we all love that."

Sophomore defensive linemen Bobby Roundtree sees it as an opportunity to compete against the best that the Big Ten has to offer and it allows him to bring his game up another level.

"I just feel like I play better going against bigger and better guys so I look forward to it," said Roundtree.

The Illini offense will also have to bring their own physicality to the game against a Wisconsin defense that gives up only 20 points per game. The Illini will look to use their No. 22-ranked running game, with running backs Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein, to help strike a balance against the Badgers.

"We are who we are," said offensive coordinator Rod Smith. "I think you always want to (establish the run) if you can no matter who you play…how you match up with certain teams dictates what you can and can't do."

The offensive line understands that getting the running game going early will be significant against Wisconsin and they want to be the ones who help build the momentum for the entire team.

"We need to be the momentum creators for the team, we don't wait for anyone else…we make holes for the running backs to run and give time for the QB to throw the ball," said sophomore offensive tackle Alex Palczewski. "We just need to be consistent the entire time…I'm very excited, they're a good defensive front, but I am very excited to go against them."

With two strong running games leading the way for both teams, the biggest battle might be who can dominate on the front lines. With so much size and physicality from both sides on display, it will be a war in the trenches and the Illini wouldn't want it any other way.