Spartans Six Point Favorite over Badgers
- SpartyOnline Writer
- Sep 22, 2016
- 3 min read
The Badgers and the Spartans have pretty much ruled the Big Ten the last decade along with Ohio State. Both squads have three Big Ten titles to their name versus two for the Buckeyes. During that period the Spartans and the Badgers have had some pretty memorable games, primarily because they have tended to be pretty evenly matched. This year is no exception. Statistically they are almost identical. Both teams focus on stopping the run, and offensively they tout a balanced offense.
Last week the Spartans demonstrated they can run the ball effectively against a pretty good Notre Dame defense with LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes leading the charge for the Spartans. However, Wisconsin has held teams under 100 yards in three games, so O’Conner will need to be effective in the air to loosen up the ground game. Although the receiving corps is young, they certainly proved they are capable. Tyler O’Conner has a number of great weapons, including Monte Madaris, R.J. Shelton, and true freshman Donnie Corley. Look for Corley to have a breakout game. If the Spartans are vulnerable, it’s in the defensive secondary, where they have given up substantially more yards than the Badgers.
Both teams play possession football and Wisconsin can make you one dimensional by totally shutting down the run. However the Badgers gave up over 400 yards in offense to Georgia Tech as fifth year senior QB Bart Houston (44-71, 527 yards, 2 TD, 2 Int) struggled Saturday; this after leading the Badgers in the final drive that beat LSU in the first game of the season. Last week when Houston and the offense stalled, RS freshman Alex Hornibrook took over under center to lead the winning drive. The question now becomes who will lead the Badgers against Michigan State, and how does having a question at quarterback affect the Badger offense? To further complicate things for the Badger offense senior RB Corey Clement is out for the season with an ankle injury. In fact all three of Wisconsin’s top rushers are questionable for the game in E. Lansing. That brings added pressure to whoever is quarterback and the Badgers #1 receiver Robert Wheelwright (12 receptions for 194 yards). This is a must win game for Wisconsin. After the Spartans, the Badgers are @ Michigan, have OSU at home, then travel to Iowa, and then entertain possibly an undefeated Nebraska team for the lead in the Western Division.
This game could prove to be very interesting, given the Badgers will be forced to air is out against a suspect Spartan secondary. The Spartans biggest chance for success is with the defensive line. If Malik McDowell and company can consistently pressure (whoever) the quarterback, it will be a long day for the Badgers. If not, the Badgers can score a lot of points through the air.
Look for Michigan State to test the Badger run defense early. The Spartans offensive line will be the difference in this game. The Spartans will ride the backs of LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes to control the clock and keep the Badger offense off the field. This is going to be an old style smash mouth Big Ten football game. Don’t be surprised to see is come down to the final seconds, which has become sort of a tradition with these two teams. MSU by 4.
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