While portions of the populace were preoccupied with pondering playoff possibilities for the Brewers, preparations continued for a pair big football games.

On Saturday, the ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin (3-0) travels to Michigan for a matchup with the Wolverines (1-2). The game, which starts at 2:30 p.m., is to be televised on ABC.

On Sunday, the Packers travel south to square off against Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium.

Michigan, led by first-year coach Rich Rodriguez, currently resides in last place in the Big Ten. The Badgers appear to have stronger personnel and a more experienced roster, but it's never easy playing in front of more than 106,000 fans.

Wisconsin enters the game as a six-point favorite, but there could be a temptation to look past Michigan and think about upcoming home games against Ohio State and Penn State.

Badgers coach Bret Bielema has been warning his team about a letdown all week. He even piped crowd noise into practice to prepare his players for the atmosphere. The Badgers haven't won in Ann Arbor since 1994, a span of four games, but they should be able to move the ball against the Wolverines.

The Packers, who dropped a home game to Dallas on Sunday night, are a one-point underdog against Tampa.

The Buccaneers, also 2-1, got a confidence boost in a 27-24 victory over Chicago last week. Quarterback Brian Griese threw three interceptions, but he brought his team back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and finished with 67 passing attempts in the game.

With Green Bay's secondary depleted by Al Harris' spleen injury and Charles Woodson's toe injury, the onus will be on the players up front to make life tough for the Bucs' offense. The Packers allowed 217 rushing yards against Dallas -- an unacceptable amount.

The Packers also could get a lift from the return of center Scott Wells and improved production from running back Ryan Grant, who has been slowed by a hamstring problem.