Wisconsin opened this season as the favorite to win the Big Ten West Division and that won’t draw an argument from Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. The Badgers have made a habit of appearing in the Big Ten Championship game and have won three league titles in the past five years. Ferentz says the Badgers have been the dominant team in the division and one of the top programs in the Big Ten.

Paul Chryst is the third different Badger coach in four years but Ferentz says the style remains the same. Ferentz says the players did a good job of bouncing back after a disapointing season in 2014 and now need to show they can handle success after a 4-0 start.

Ferentz says running back Jordan Canzeri is one of several seniors who have stepped up their game this season. The native of New York has eight touchdowns already this season after failing to reach the end zone all of last year. Iowa’s red zone production is off the charts this season. The Hawkeyes have converted touchdowns on 14 of 16 opportunities for an 88 percent clip. That compares to 64 percent a year ago.

With top running back Corey Clement sidelined with an injury the Badgers have been riding the arm of quarterback Joel Stave. The Redshirt senior is completing 66 percent of his passes and is 24-8 as a starter.

(Learfield Sports)