College Football Breakdown

Michigan State looks to repeat vs Wisconsin

Michigan State played their best game of the season last year against Wisconsin beating the Badgers 34-24 in East Lansing.  They outgained the Badgers by 152 yards last year and won despite being -3 in the turnover battle.  This year instead of being a 1 point home underdog , the Spartans are a 9 point home underdog.  Have the teams changed that much?  Let’s look.

What’s new for Wisconsin:

With all respect to Scott Tolzien who was an accurate thrower, Wisconsin has the versatile QB Russell Wilson behind center this year.  In last year’s game, Tolzien was 11 for 25 passing.  Wilson’s passer rating is 210 which is pretty remarkable regardless of the opponents.  So clearly, Wisconsin has improved its passing game.  Although the Badgers have played some cupcakes this year, their defense has been impressive.  Against the quality offensive line of Northern Illinois, they totally stifled the Huskies and held them scoreless for the last 3 quarters.  They also held Nebraska down en route to a decisive victory. The Badger defense has been solid against the run and in total defense.  However, they average only 2.33 sacks per game which could be a problem against Couins.

What’s new for Michigan State:

The Spartans come off a big win over rival Michigan.  The offensive line did a good job of controlling Michigan’s defensive line which is something that they failed to do against Notre Dame earlier in the season. The Spartan offene did bog down in the second half and the team almost allowed Michigan back in the game because of penalties and miscues.  The system,  Kirk Cousins, the receivers, and the backs are all the same from last year.  But the offensive line appears down a notch.  The biggest change is the play of the defensive line who leads a defense that ranks 1st in the Big Ten by far in total yards given up per game.  So the offense appears slightly down but the defense is up.

This is Wisconsin’s first true road game. It’s pretty amazing that it is Week 8 and Wisconsin is playing its first road game.  Michigan State has done a very good job of stopping the run and will probably hold up well against the powerful line of the Badgers.  The difference maker could be Russell Wilson who is a nightmare to defend with his accuracy and his ability to extend plays.  Wisconsin has been studying the Spartans for a few weeks and should be prepared for the play action attack of Sparty.  Wisconsin remembers losing this game last year and will not take the Spartans lightly.  With Wilson and an improved defense, they should bet the W.  But are you willing to lay 9 on the road against an experienced Spartan team, that’s up to you?

Key Loss Update: DE Gohlsten who leads Spartans in tackles for loss will be suspended for this game.

JJBeatz
www.collegefootballbreakdown.com