Until the win against Utah on Saturday, the last time the Wildcats had won a game that was decided in the closing minutes was midway through the 2000 season öö a 53-47 triple overtime win against Washington State.

However, after the Wildcats' 23-17 win against the Utes, UA got some much needed experience in winning close games. This could be crucial heading into Camp Randall to play No. 22 Wisconsin (4-0) Saturday. Of the Badgers' last 16 wins, six of them have been fourth-quarter comeback victories, including a 24-21 victory last week against Northern Illinois.

Wisconsin senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger has been the field general for all six of the Badgers' come-from-behind wins in the last three seasons.

Bollinger, who has thrown for 742 yards and four touchdown passes in Wisconsin's four wins, is the key to the Badgers' offense, according to head coach John Mackovic.

"I think he's probably the top quarterback in the (Big Ten)," Mackovic said. "He's active in the pocket, able to move around, and he set his feet quickly. I have great respect for how he's played."

If the Wildcats want to go into Wisconsin and have a chance to upset the Badgers, they must take care of the ball.

Wisconsin is currently tied for the national lead with 14 turnovers, and is fourth in turnover margin at +2.8. The Badgers are 30-1 in their last 31 games in which they have won the turnover battle, and Wisconsin has turned the ball over just once in their last three games.

The Wildcats had three turnovers in the Utah game that led to 14 of the Utes' 17 points.

"We lost the turnover battle Saturday night and won the game, which is highly unlikely," Mackovic said. "Generally if you lose three turnovers to one, you're not going to win the game."

The Wildcats head into Wisconsin with minimal injuries. Freshman offensive lineman John Parada is most likely out for Saturday's game, after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter against Utah.

Senior offensive lineman Darren Safranek is still out with multiple knee injuries and junior defensive end Andre Torrey is still doubtful to play with a bad hip.

However, things are looking more positive for senior defensive tackle Young Thompson, who left the Utah game in the fourth quarter, and junior running back Clarence Farmer, who was limping on his left ankle after the game. Farmer said after the game that he will be fine by gametime Saturday.

Wide receivers Bobby Wade and Andrae Thurman combined for 18 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns in the win Saturday.

Senior quarterback Jason Johnson attributed the success of the receiving corps to all the work they did this summer.

"Toward the end of the summer, Bobby, Andrae and I were going out at 10 p.m., under the lights just to throw balls," Johnson said. "I really think that is paying off and were starting to see the fruits of our labor."

Mackovic also attributed the success of the Wildcat receivers on the good week of practice.

"(The receivers coaches) are doing a lot of little things with the receivers and quarterbacks," Mackovic said.

He mentioned that the extra work the trio did during the off-season has really paid off as well.

After wearing a suit and tie for two games last season, Mackovic entertained the idea of wearing it for the first time this season in the nationally televised game Saturday against the Badgers.

The game will be live on ESPN2 at noon MST, with Pam Ward, Chris Spielman and Rob Stone announcing the game.

Mackovic said it would be a game-time decision on the suit, but was still debating on which color tie to wear. He said he couldn't wear red because Wisconsin is also red, but jokingly said that he might wear a blue tie with a peach-colored suit.

The Wildcats and Badgers will meet for the first time this weekend in another Pac-10/Big Ten rivalry. UA is the only Pac-10 school that Wisconsin hasn't played. Both teams have losing records against the other conference, but Mackovic is undefeated against the Badgers (4-0) from 1988-91 when he was at Illinois.