I wasn’t able to watch the Purdue—Wisconsin game. From the GH comments, it seems as though the Badgers steamrolled a hapless Purdue team. However, the offensive stats look totally even: First downs, 20(W)/23(P); total yards 388(W)/396(P); rushing yards 195(W)/194(P); passing yards 193(W)/202(P); average yards per play 5.5(W)/5.7(P); penalties 11 for 70 (W)/7 for 73 (P).
Possible differences: turnovers—WI 2 INTs and a fumble recovery vs. 1 INT for Purdue; KO returns—WI had 2 for 75 yards; Punting—WI had 2 for a net 54.5 yards, Purdue had 3 for a net 34.3 yards.
So, from the stats, it appears WI won because it (1) played more opportunistic defense and (2) had excellent field-position-shifting special teams play. Does this read line up with what viewers actually saw in the game? Or was WI simply dominant in all phases?