After a week in the nonconference, Wisconsin gets back to business. They will be taking on Michigan State on Saturday afternoon for Wisconsin’s homecoming games. The Spartans started the year in the Top 25 but have since fallen out of that with losses to Arizona State and Ohio State. Michigan State comes into this game embarrassed as the Buckeyes beat them by 24 points. Usually, the Spartans do not get blown out in back-to-back weeks. They’re a team that gets off the mat. It will be important for Wisconsin to start quick and keep their foot on their throat.

Three Storylines I Care About
1. Sparty’s run defense against Jonathan Taylor – Before the Ohio State, the Spartans were fourth in the country at stopping the run. That is why people thought they could give the Buckeyes a challenge. J.K. Dobbins and company dispelled that theory with 323 yards on the ground. Could it be that Michigan State’s run defense was overrated and last week exposed it? Very possible. Jonathan Taylor is better than Dobbins, and trust me, he will find ways to impact this game.

2. Badgers defense could have a big day – One of the opening storylines this year about Michigan State was their new offense. They were adding some spread concepts, and it felt like Michigan State wouldn’t have the struggles they did in past years. Well, that’s a half-truth. Their offense has not been great against good competition. Wisconsin’s defense is fantastic and makes plays all over the football field. It is hard for me to believe that the Spartans will be able to keep offensively.

3. Paul Chryst cannot get tight – Maybe this is my dumb brain, but it seems whenever things don’t go right for Wisconsin early on, Paul Chryst gets uncomfortable out there. Like he doesn’t want to be as aggressive and starts handling the offense with kid gloves. If the Badgers start slow and that happens against Michigan State, things are going to very tight in Madison.

Chuck’s Predicted Player of the Game
Zach Baun – This dude does not stop sacking quarterbacks. To me, he is one of the more underrated players on this Badgers roster. Baun is going to impact this football game. Where I think Michigan State can be beat offensively is when they throw the ball. Brian Lewerke screams turnovers and bad decisions. Look for Baun to have another huge game.

Prediction
There is no way the spread should be 10 plus points. That is ridiculous. This will be a close game by score, but I actually could see this not coming down to the wire. Wisconsin does enough offensively, and their defense shows their teeth. It’s going to be windy and cold so points will be at a premium. Wisconsin 16 Michigan State 10