MADISON, Wis. (AP) -Scott Tolzien threw his first collegiate pass in mop-up duty at Iowa last season. Now Wisconsin's plucky quarterback has the opportunity to derail the 11th-ranked Hawkeyes' perfect run.

Iowa (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) has been far from dominant during its 10-game winning streak dating to last season, but has mastered escaping close games, including the last two by a total of five points to match its best start since 1985.

Now, the Hawkeyes start a two-game road swing at Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1) and Michigan State that could set them up for a showdown at No. 7 Ohio State on Nov. 14.

``Last year, it was the other way around, we were losing the close games,'' Iowa tight end Tony Moeaki said. ``It shows the margin of error is very small, especially in the Big Ten. The only difference this year is we're pulling out wins.''

Last year, Iowa's fan base was in full panic mode with a 3-3 record before wins against Indiana and a 38-16 romp over Wisconsin. The Badgers were struggling, too, with four straight losses, including Iowa, where Tolzien got in late.

But Tolzien ascended the depth chart in the fall and has been the biggest reason for Wisconsin's strong start this season.

His efficiency took a blow in a loss at Ohio State last Saturday. Instead of moping, Tolzien said he'd never been so eager to watch the game film and move forward.

``Coming out with a loss, you're always wondering what you could've done better personally,'' Tolzien said. ``It was a good learning experience.''

It seemed like Tolzien mainly experienced being flat on his back at Ohio State. The Buckeyes sacked him six times and forced two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a 31-13 win.

Wisconsin's offensive line must protect Tolzien better and open up lanes for 248-pound running back John Clay to run through to have any chance against a similarly stout Iowa defensive line.

``It looks like just the numbers changed,'' Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said of Iowa's defense. ``The bodies are the same, the effort and the way they play. They're playing with a lot of confidence. You can see it on film, but there's a lot that's not the Xs and Os, it's those guys executing.''

Iowa outworked Wisconsin in last year's win, something that the Badgers say won't happen again this year. There's more on the line in this one, too. A win by Wisconsin keeps them in the thick of the Big Ten race.

``We have a slight edge and hunger to want to go out and prove everyone wrong, to re-establish what Wisconsin football is, the tough, smashmouth, keep-coming-at-you, grind-it-out type game,'' right tackle Josh Oglesby said. ``It's definitely a fun style of game where you just line up and you and the guy across from you are just beating each other up all day.''

Both teams also have had success in the passing game.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi's numbers aren't the best with 10 touchdowns to eight interceptions, but he got back one of his favorite targets when Moeaki returned after an ankle injury kept him sidelined for three weeks.

Moeaki caught six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-28 win over Michigan on Saturday.

``When Moeaki got back in, you could see how their offense changed,'' coach Bret Bielema said. ``They really like to go to those tight ends in clutch situations, and that's the key part.''

Moeaki said he was lucky that his ankle injury wasn't more severe after he was rolled up in a pile.

But the Hawkeyes have had good luck all season while getting to the halfway point undefeated. Not that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz can enjoy it that much with so many games that have been close until the end.

``In some strange way, I enjoy this time of year more than any, even though I'm miserable most of the time,'' Ferentz said. ``It's enjoyable miserable.''

Huh?

``We're all just happy to win right now,'' the coach said. ``That's the bottom line.''