Michigan State vs #8 Wisconsin Badgers Official Game Thread Updates & Comments
Camp Randall Stadium
Madison, WI
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to beautiful Camp Randall Stadium for today's matchup between the unranked Michigan State Spartans and the #8 Wisconsin Badgers.
The Badgers have one of America's most feared rushing attacks. Led by Heisman hopeful Jonathan Taylor, they do what they do each and every week without a change. They will come with a downhill running style that attacks the defense.
But don't be deceived, they can throw the ball. They just haven't needed to. They didn't just give their QB job to a returning started. Two years removed from a 10 win season and coming off an eight-win campaign, head coach Paul Chryst decided to have an true open competition and the youngster won out. They can throw, but no one has forced them to do it.
They are undefeated and they have thrown when they want and now when they had to. For the Spartans to win today, they must be able to shut down the running game and force the Badgers and their young QB to throw out of necessity.
Offensively, the Spartans are going into the teeth of the most underrated defenses in America. They are the best in the Big Ten and MSU must understand that they will not score on every possession, but they need to sustain drives so the defense doesn't get tired out.
The Spartan need not only pass or only run. Balance will be the key today. A ten play drive with no points will still allow the defense to rest and worth its value in GOLD. In case you missed it, here is my prediction and those of our Spartan Nation contributors from our Scouting Report and prediction article yesterday:
Prediction…
• Coach Chuck Grenier 21-14 Michigan State
• Duffy Carpenter 24-10 Wisconsin
• Jonathan Schopp 38-18 Wisconsin
• Matt Hladik 20-13 Wisconsin
• Matt Duda 45-17 Wisconsin
• Chris Stoddard 31-17 Wisconsin
Mark Dantonio told us last week that the game versus Ohio State was THE measuring stick. I agree with him. This team is not a competitive team among the ELITE teams in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is, and the Spartans have the talent, but the Spartan offensive scheme and coaching aren’t good enough to win the Big Ten. I say make it 21-10 Badgers.
3:18 ET Spartans Release Dress List For Today:
3:43 ET UW Won the Toss. MSU will get the ball in the 2nd half. Here we go from Camp Randall.
4:04 ET Scoring Update #1: TOUCHDOWN Badgers. They lead MSU 7-0. 4:52 1Q
4:21 ET End of the 1st Quarter. Complete Stats:
4:22 ET Scoring Update #2: 1st play of the 2nd Q WI TOUCHDOWN. 14-0 Badgers 14:54 2Q
Scoring Update #3 4:45 ET: Badgers 29 Yard FG is good. 17-0 Badgers. 4:30 2nd Q
5:03 PM ET Halftime Wisconsin in total control of MSU 17-0. Check out these stats:
5:45 ET End of the 3rd Quarter Wisconsin leads 17-0. Stats below:
5:53 ET Scoring Update #4: Badgers punch it in for their fourth score and third TD. They lead MSU 24-0. 13:38 4th Q
6:01 ET: Scoring Update #5: Badgers get a pick-six off of Brian Lewerke and get their fourth touchdown of the day. 12:52 4Q 31-0
6:13 ET Scoring Update #6: Badgers punch in their fifth touchdown and the sixth score of the day to lead the hapless Spartans 38-0. 10:52 4Q
