first since Sean Singletary in 2009. The

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- In just three weeks, Wisconsin might go from being the toast of the Big Ten West to, well, toast in the Big Ten West.The 10th-ranked Badgers (4-2, 1-2) earned the nations respect after close losses to Michigan and Ohio State, dropping just two spots in this weeks poll. And yet a loss on Saturday at unranked Iowa (5-2, 3-1) would put the Badgers three back of the Hawkeyes in the win column with just five games left.Theres also No. 8 Nebraska (6-0, 3-0), which hosts a Purdue team that just fired its coach on Saturday before it visits Wisconsin next week.The Badgers might prove to be the best overall team in the West. They might also be out of the division title chase before Halloween.For us to be the best, we have to keep improving each week. Thats the (halfway) report, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.Iowa was supposed to be the team that everyone one in the West was looking up at by now.Instead, the Hawkeyes are eager to prove theyre a real division contender again.Iowa rallied from two losses in three games with a tight win at Minnesota on Oct. 8. Last week, they sealed Boilermakers coach Darrell Hazells demise with a 49-35 win that included three late and largely meaningless Purdue touchdowns.Here are the factors that could decide things on Saturday when Iowa and Wisconsin renew acquaintances in Iowa City:SCOUTING THE HAWKEYESPurdues late rally obscured the fact that the Hawkeyes have been much better defensively in recent weeks. On offense, Iowa has a pair of dangerous backs on pace for 1,000-yard seasons in LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley. Quarterback C.J. Beathard hasnt put up great numbers, largely because the Hawkeyes receivers have lacked the ability to separate from defensive backs. Still, Beathard is completing 60 percent of his passes and has 11 TDs against just four picks.DEFENSE MATTERSWisconsins defense has been spectacular all season. The Badgers are ninth nationally in points allowed per game at 15.2, despite the fact that theyve already faced LSU and the Wolverines and Buckeyes. Iowa is 21st in the country with just 19.2 points allowed per game and has let up seven points or less three times this season. In games like this typically, little things are really going to matter -- and theyre good at little things. So if were going to want to be in this ballgame, were going to have to do that a little bit better, too, and really be detailed because its going to be tough, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.CICHYS THE MANWisconsin junior linebacker was named the Big Tens defensive player of the week on Monday after making 15 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and forcing a fumble against the Buckeyes. He and fellow linebacker T.J. Watt might prove to be a handful for an offensive line that could be without starters Cole Croston and Boone Myers.HOME WOESThe visiting team has won the last five meetings in this series dating back to 2009. Iowa last hosted Wisconsin in 2014, when it also had control of its own destiny in the Big Ten West. But Melvin Gordon had 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Badgers rallied for a 26-24 win.HE SAID ITI dont want to be Dr. Doom here. I think hes got a chance, Ferentz on tight end George Kittle, who is questionable for Saturdays game with a foot injury.---Online: www.collegefootball.ap.org Jordan 5 For Sale Cheap . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Jordan Retro 11 For Sale Cheap . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. http://www.jordanshoescheapsale.com/jordan-proto-max-720-for-sale.html . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Jordan 4 For Sale . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Air Jordan 1 Wholesale . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The University of Virginia plans to retire Malcolm Brogdons No. 15 jersey.The school on Thursday announced that it will make Brogdons jersey the eighth to be retired at the school, and the first since Sean Singletary in 2009. The ceremony will take place Feb. 20Brogdon, now with the NBAs Milwaukee Bucks, was a consensus first-team All-American last season, when he finished his career ranked ninth on Virginias career scoring list with 1,809 points. He also ranks first in free throw percentage (87.6%), second in games played (136).During his career, he also helped Virginia reach qualify for four NCAA tournaments, capture two ACC regular-season titles and one ACC Tournament championship.ddddddddddddBrogdons jersey will join those of Singletary (44), Jeff Lamp (3), Barry Parkhill (40), Ralph Sampson (50), Bryant Stith (20), Wally Walker (41), and Buzzy Wilkinson (14) in the rafters of John Paul Jones Arena.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '