NIU shouldn’t have turned its back because the Big Ten Conference is coming back for more.

This time, the Huskies’ schedule brings them to Madison, Wis. to face the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

After playing one Big Ten team already this year, the Huskies should feel comfortable going into their fourth game of the season against Wisconsin. NIU’s 30-14 loss against the Fighting Illini could aide them.

“Illinois and Wisconsin are comparable,” said NIU head coach Charlie Sadler. “Hopefully, we can still be in the ballgame going into the fourth quarter as we did at Illinois.”

The Badgers have had their ups and downs their past two ballgames. They suffered a 27-10 loss against the No. 2-ranked Washington Huskies in Seattle but then came back the very next week and defeated Mid-American Conference champion Bowling Green State 39-18.

Sadler admits that it won’t be an easy task this Saturday.

“Wisconsin is a solid football team,” he said. “We’ll have our hands full.”

Boy, will they ever. Try these numbers on for size. The Badgers are ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in turnover margin (+2.5 per game), No. 13 in net punting (40.3 yard average) and No. 21 in rushing defense (115.5 yds. per game).

Along with that, there’s sophomore tailback Terrell Fletcher, who could give the Huskies some problems. He rushed 39 times for 173 yards.

“Terrell Fletcher is a big-time running back,” said Sadler. “He runs and bounces off guys.”

If that isn’t enough, there’s more. Free safety Scott Nelson is ranked No. 1 in pass interceptions with three and punter Sam Velt is ranked No. 11 in punting (44.8 yard average).

NIU has a few impressive rankings as well. Quarterback Rob Rugai is No. 8 in the NCAA in pass efficiency (59 percent), tailback LeShon Johnson is No. 23 in rushing (101.7 yards per game) and tailback Steve Rodgers is No. 2 in punt returning (four for 97 yards).

Wisconsin leads the series 7-1 but is the only Big Ten team that NIU has managed to beat in its school history. Sadler feels that this is one of those games that you can just throw out the statistics from previous matchups. He specifically speaks about the two teams’ meeting in 1988 at Camp Randall Stadium (a 19-17 NIU win). So what impact does it have?

“None,” said Sadler. “That was two different teams, different players and different coaches.”