Wisconsin football looking for next statement win vs. Michigan State

Wisconsin football hosts Michigan State on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Here’s a preview, prediction and how to watch.

The Spartans and the Badgers haven’t played since 2016 and that didn’t go so well for the Spartans. This season might be a repeat for Michigan State as it travels to Camp Randall on Saturday afternoon.

Wisconsin comes in rolling on both offense and defense. On offense, the Badgers’ no-nonsense power-running game is roaring like a monster truck led by Jonathan Taylor and their brutish offensive line. Taylor is consistently in the second level of defenses indicated by his 7.0 yards per carry average. Quarterback Jack Coan has been efficient running the offense and not turning the ball over.

The Badgers’ defense has been dominant this season, pitching three shutouts in five games and giving up a mere 5.8 points per game. They’ve gotten to the quarterback 21 times and have forced 12 turnovers. To say they’ve been dominant is an understatement.

In an offseason where the Spartans shook up their offensive staff, they’ve still been inconsistent on that side of the ball. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has been solid this year and has taken care of the ball. Elijah Collins has acclimated himself well as the Spartans feature back, but the run game hasn’t been great behind a shaky offensive line. The receivers have left a lot of receptions on the turf and there are portions of games when the Spartans go away on offense.

The Spartans’ bread is buttered on defense. They boast one of the stingiest defenses in the country, but they did gave up 31 points to Indiana two weeks ago, and had no solutions for the Ohio State offense last week.

Can the Michigan State Spartans stop the power-run game of the Badgers? Can the Badger pass game make plays when needed?

Here’s how you can watch:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison, Wisc.
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

Styles make fights, and at face value this is the Badger offense vs. the Spartan defense. However, the strength of the Spartans’ defense has surprisingly been against the pass as opposed to the run. Their secondary is outstanding and they rush the passer well. Michigan State wants to get Wisconsin off schedule so they can get Coan into third-and-long situations — easier said than done.

The strategy is similar for the Badgers. They want to force Lewerke to throw the football, so Zach Baun and that pass rush can pin their ears back force him into bad throws.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Bovada

Line: Wisconsin -10.5
Over/Under: 40.5

Prediction

The Spartan defense hasn’t played well against good offenses the last two weeks. Indiana protected Michael Penix Jr. and the Hoosier offense had over 300 yards of offense and scored 31 points. They also had no answer for the athletes of Ohio State and they gave up over 300 yards rushing. Both of which could spell trouble for the Spartans. The Badgers passed the Michigan test, and now have the Spartans in front of them. They’ve played clean, physical football all season, and it continues against the Spartans at home.

Final Score: Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 10