Michigan State Vs Wisconsin: Who Will Win?
It’s been a long season of Big Ten football, and now it all comes down to this weekend’s game between Michigan State and Wisconsin. Who will come out on top?
Introduction
In this article, we’ll be giving a quick rundown of the two teams and their records before giving our final prediction on who will win the game.
The Michigan State Spartans are currently 6-6 and are coming off of a loss against Rutgers. Their offense is averaging 23 points per game while their defense is allowing 20.8 points per game They have not fared well against ranked opponents this season, losing to Ohio State Notre Dame and Michigan.
The Wisconsin Badgers are also 6-6 and are coming off of a loss to Minnesota. Their offense is averaging 22 points per game while their defense is allowing 16.5 points per game They have losses against Iowa and Northwestern, but they have also beaten some good teams like Michigan and Penn State
Michigan State’s Case
Under first-year Head Coach Mel Tucker, the Michigan State Spartans have shown marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The defense, in particular, has been impressive, ranking fifth in the nation in points allowed per game.
Offensively, the Spartans have been more inconsistent, but they have shown they are capable of putting up points in bunches. Against a strong Wisconsin defense, they will need to be at their best.
Michigan State’s success this season has been due in large part to their strong play on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Spartans feature one of the best defensive lines in the country, led by senior defensive end Kenny Willekes.
The Spartan offensive line has also been solid, giving quarterback Brian Lewerke time to throw and opening up holes for running back Connor Heyward. If Michigan State is going to win on Saturday, their offensive line will need to give Lewerke time to find open receivers and Heyward space to run.
Wisconsin’s Case
Though Michigan State is ranked higher, Wisconsin has a better chance of winning due to their impressive defensive line. They have only given up 9 Points per game which is the best in the country. Their run defense is also 4th in the nation. They will look to slow down Michigan State’s run game and put pressure on their quarterback. If they can do that, they have a good chance of coming out with a victory.
The X-Factors
In sports, the term “X-Factor” is used to describe a player who has the ability to impact the game in a positive way, regardless of the situation. When it comes to the upcoming matchup between Michigan State and Wisconsin, there are a few Key Players who fit this description.
For Michigan State senior guard Cassius Winston is the clear-cut X-Factor. Winston is averaging 18.6 points and 7.5 assists per game and his ability to take over a game is unmatched. In their previous meeting this season, Winston scored 21 points and dished out 9 assists in a Michigan State victory. If he can have a similar performance in the rematch, the Spartans will be in good shape.
Another player to watch for Michigan State is freshman forward Marcus Bingham Jr. Bingham Jr. has seen his playing time increase lately, and he’s made the most of it. In his last 5 games, he’s averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from three-point range If he can provide some scoring punch off the bench, it will be a big boost for Michigan State
For Wisconsin, junior forward Nate Reuvers is their X-Factor. Reuvers is coming off a career-high 28 point performance against Iowa, and he’ll need to be at his best again if Wisconsin wants to win. He’s averaging 11 points and 4 rebounds per game on the season, but he’s capable of putting up big numbers on any given night. Keep an eye on him in this one.
Lastly, sophomore guard Brad Davison is someone who could make a difference for Wisconsin. Davison missed the first meeting between these two teams due to injury, but he’s healthy now and ready to go. He brings a lot of energy and toughness on both ends of the floor, and his Three-point shooting will be important against a Michigan State team that likes to pack the paint defensively.
The Verdict
It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and college football is in Full Swing One of the most highly anticipated games this season is the match-up between Michigan State and Wisconsin. These two teams are no strangers to each other, as they have met a total of 61 times since 1898. Michigan State holds the overall lead with 33 wins, but Wisconsin has won the last four meetings. So, who will win this year’s battle?
Wisconsin comes into the game with an undefeated record of 7-0. They are currently ranked 2nd in the nation and are coming off of a bye week. Their most impressive win was against then-ranked 3rd LSU, whom they beat 16-14. They have a strong defense that is only giving up an average of 13 points per game which is 4th best in the nation. They will be looking to continue their Winning Streak against Michigan State
Michigan State also has a 7-0 record and is ranked 3rd in the nation. They are coming off of a Big Win against then-ranked 8th Indiana, whom they beat 24-21. Their defense has been stellar this season, only giving up an average of 12 points per game, which is 3rd best in the nation. In order for them to win this game, they will need to find a way to score on Wisconsin’s tough defense.
Based on these facts, it is difficult to say who will come out on top. However, our experts have predictions for how the game will play out. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index Wisconsin has a 58% chance of winning this game. CBS Sports also gives Wisconsin the edge, with a 60% chance of winning. FOX Sports predicts that Michigan State has a 53% chance of winning. So, it looks like it could go either way!
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious from this battle between two top-ranked teams. Be sure to tune in on Saturday, October 14th at 3:30pm ET to find out!
