Wisconsin Scouting Report

 The #7 Wisconsin Badgers come into this Saturday’s game riding high after a thrashing of Austin Peay. Wisconsin, dating back to last season, is riding a

 

MSU will have their hands full with the Badgers on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Starr Portice

The #7 Wisconsin Badgers come into this Saturday’s game riding high after a thrashing of Austin Peay. Wisconsin, dating back to last season, is riding a six game winning streak. Coach Bret Bielema is 2-1 against the Spartans in his four years as Head Coach of the Badgers. The team, led by senior Scott Tolzien at quarterback and junior John Clay at running back, looks to be a formidable opponent for the #24 Spartans.

 

• Wisconsin averages 38 points a game (15th in the FBS) and 484 yards on offense per game (13th in the FBS). The offense leans towards the running game- the Badgers keep the ball on the ground 67% of the time. Wisconsin will try to establish the ground game early to set up the passing attack.
• The workhorse of Wisconsin’s offense is running back John Clay. Like in years past, Wisconsin has a power ground attack which sets up the passing game. The junior back has 501 yards and 6 touchdowns on the season. The Spartans’ front seven will have to do a good job of wrapping up the 255 lb. train that is John Clay if the team is to beat the Badgers.
• Freshman James White is the Badgers’ change of pace back. He is coming off of a 145 yard, 4 touchdown game against Austin Peay. Look for Bielema to give the ball to White to confuse the Spartans’ D. Overall, the team is 10th in the FBS in rushing.
• Quarterback Scott Tolzien struggled early on in the season for the Badgers. However, he heated up against Arizona State and stayed hot against Austin Peay. On the year, he has 851 yards, five TDs and two interceptions.
• Last year Tolzien torched the Spartans for 243 yards and 4 TDs in a 38-30 loss for Michigan State. Revenge will certainly be on the minds of returning starters from last year’s Spartan defense.
• Wisconsin’s defense, led by defensive end J.J. Watt and safety Jay Valai, is arguably one of the best in the Big Ten. The unit only allows 265 yards per game, which is third in the Big Ten. Additionally, the defense only gives up 14 points per game (also third in the Big Ten).
• The Badger defense’s starting safeties (Jay Valai and Aaron Henry) are both former cornerbacks. Thus, it will be difficult for Spartan wide outs to get behind them. For MSU to be successful in the passing game, they need to emphasize the short pass.

As the thriller against Notre Dame proved, a game often comes down to a special teams play. Wisconsin has one of the worst kickoff coverage teams in the nation. This does not bode well for the Badgers, as speedster Keshawn Martin is one of the top return men in the nation. Look for a special teams play to once again make the difference for the Spartans in Saturday’s showdown with the Badgers