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The Wisconsin Badgers are enjoying one of the best seasons in recent memory thanks to the play of quarterback Russell Wilson as well as the Badgers' stellar offensive line.
This weekend, they will take on Kirk Cousins and the resurgent Michigan State defense, one that has been almost impenetrable this season except for their loss against Notre Dame.
Offensively, this game is going to be controlled by the Badgers. Wilson has put himself in the Heisman discussion after the team's first six games, passing for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wilson has also caught a touchdown pass and run for a couple, and he's really added another dimension to the Wisconsin offense that hasn't been there before.
Not only that, but Wisconsin features one of the best running backs in the country and one of my favorite guys personally, Montee Ball. The junior tailback has 653 yards and 16 touchdowns already this season, and has pretty much dominated anyone Wisconsin has gone up against, including the highly touted "Blackshirts" of Nebraska.
For Michigan State, their offense has been erratic and inconsistent but has done enough the past few weeks in order to put them in the win column. Their senior quarterback, Kirk Cousins, is having a disappointing season with only eight touchdown passes in six games, and he's really going to have to step up his game to be able to keep pace with Wisconsin.
Last week, I felt like MSU was going to have to put up big point totals as well playing against Michigan and Denard Robinson, but that wasn't the case. Michigan State was able to take Denard Robinson's running or at least limit him, and when he is forced to pass the ball, Michigan's offense goes from great to below average.
It's not going to be so easy with the Wisconsin offense.
Not only do they have an offensive line that can absolutely dominate, they have a quarterback who is equally capable of beating you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He's making great decisions this year and showing that he is one of the best players in the country.
The biggest thing going in the Spartans' favor right now is the fact that they play at home.
That crowd is going to be riled up and ready for an upset in prime time on ESPN.
"I think it's a classic matchup when you look at them offensively and us defensively right now," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said.
Right now, the Badgers are averaging 50.2 points per game and only allowing 9.7. That is a pretty astounding couple of figures when you consider that Michigan State is "only" averaging 28 points offensively and giving up 10.8 defensively.
This should be another physical matchup between two of the Big Ten's best teams, but one that will not feature MSU defensive end William Gholston, and rightfully so after he punched a Michigan player last week.