With 2,336 yards, 26 touchdowns and a Heisman ceremony to his name, the talent of Melvin Gordon is likely no secret to Auburn fans.
Gordon receives just under 24 carries per game and will most certainly be priority one for interim defensive coordinator Charlie Harbison and the Auburn defense.
But the Big 10 runner ups aren't a one-horse show.
With the Outback Bowl lingering just a few short days away, here are four other Badgers Auburn fans should keep an eye on:
Joel Stave
2014 has been a bit of an enigma for Joel Stave.
A productive starter a year ago, the junior quarterback's season got off to a rocky start when he was benched prior to the Badgers' opener against LSU with a case of the "yips."
A "mental block" cost Stave four games before he regained the starting job from Tanner McEvoy in Week 5 against Northwestern.
Even after he regained the starter's job, the junior quarterback has struggled, completing just 53.6 percent of his passes and failing to top 225 passing yards in a single game this season. Each of Wisconsin's losses with Stave under center saw the quarterback toss three interceptions (Northwestern, Ohio State).
Despite the initial struggles, Wisconsin won its final seven games of the regular season with Stave at the helm, and the junior threw just one interception in that span.
With the dynamic backfield of Gordon and Corey Clement at his side, Stave is clearly the secondary option in the Badgers' offense.
If Auburn can jump out to an early lead, it could force Stave into uncomfortable situations, and possibly more turnovers.
Michael Caputo
The Badgers spent a large portion of 2014 ranked in the top 10 in most major defensive categories.
A 59-0 drubbing against Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship Game did damage to those statistics, but the consistency of players such as junior safety Michael Caputo helped make this a top 16 unit in all four major defensive categories (scoring, passing, rushing and total defense).
Caputo leads the Badgers with 99 total tackles on the season and is considered a "glue" guy in the Badgers secondary.
The Badgers' secondary has just four interceptions on the season, but solidarity from Caputo and the rest of the defensive backs has the Badgers ranked No. 5 nationally in pass defense, allowing just 164.3 yards per game.
Derek Landisch
One of the biggest question marks facing Wisconsin coming into the season was replacing 2013 Big Ten defensive player of the year Chris Borland.
While it may not be possible to replicate Borland, senior linebacker Derek Landisch has stepped in admirably in 2014, leading the team in sacks with eight. Landisch also sits just a half tackle for loss shy of the team lead at 15.
The Badgers will be faced with the tough task of stopping the SEC leading rusher Cameron Artis-Payne alongside the dynamic Nick Marshall and Corey Grant.
Last time out, the Badgers allowed Ohio State to rush for 301 yards as a team. Landisch is certain to be a key to Wisconsin if they plan to regroup.
Vince Biegel
It's difficult to choose between Biegel and fellow linebacker Marcus Trotter for the final spot, but we'll give the edge to Biegel for his more than memorable hair.
Biegel's already impressive mullet has been accented with the Chevrolet logo ahead of the Outback Bowl. But this linebacker is more than just the hair flair.
With 7.5 sacks and a team-high 15.5 tackles for loss this season, Biegel is a driving force on what has been a solid linebacking core for the Badgers this season.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
