Wisconsin @ Michigan State preview
Spartan Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2009 ) Michigan State 30, Wisconsin 38
Hello, Wisconsin.
That 70s Show the Badgers turned in last week against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Austin Peay (a 70-3 drubbing in Madison) has many feeling a whole lot better about the Bret Bielema’s team.
Inconsistent play and damaging mistakes had many wondering if Wisconsin was worthy of a top-10 ranking.
There’s a similar warm feeling in East Lansing, where Michigan State, concerned over the health of head coach Mark Dantonio (mild heart attack), plowed over Northern Colorado 45-7.
Dantonio was back in his office this week and is expected to be in the coaching box this weekend for the Spartans, a popular sleeper pick in the Big Ten Conference.
When ninth-ranked Wisconsin plays at No. 21 Michigan State in a Big 10 opener matching 4-0 teams, it could be a game that sets each team’s course for the rest of the season.
This is a matchup of two programs that are mirror images. Both programs run the ball well, have an efficient quarterback running a balanced attack and play solid defense.
Wisconsin is 10th in the nation in rushing (258 yards per game); Michigan State is 17th (231). Wisconsin is led by running back John Clay, who is ninth in the country in rushing at 125.3 per game and has scored six touchdowns. Backups James White and Montee Ball have combined for 454 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Spartans have a two-headed rushing attack in Edwin Baker (449 yards, 5 TDs) and LeVeon Bell (396 yards, 7 TDs).
Michigan State averages 233 passing yards behind quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was 16 of 20 for 290 yards last week. Cousins has completed 67 percent of his passes for 863 yards, six touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Wisconsin averages 226 yards through the air. Fifth-year senior Scott Tolzien has completed 76 percent of his passes for 851 yards, five touchdowns and two picks. He was 15 of 17 for 217 yards and three touchdowns last week.
The pressure will be on the respective defenses, which will have to stop the run first and then put pressure on quarterbacks who don’t normally make mistakes. Both defenses allow fewer than 100 rushing yards per game (85 for Michigan State; 94 for Wisconsin), but are susceptible to big plays. The Spartans give up 252 passing yards, while the Badgers allow 170.
Wisconsin’s offense will benefit from the expected return of wide receivers Nick Toon (toe) and David Gilreath (concussion), who also is a threat as a kick returner. Right tackle Josh Oglesby is also expected to play, suggesting that the banged-up Badgers will be as healthy as they’ve been since the opener. Michigan State has no significant injuries.
Michigan State leads the series 27-21, including 14-7 in East Lansing. Wisconsin won 38-30 last year in Madison.