Michigan State vs Wisconsin football preview

21st-ranked Spartans host Badgers on Saturday

It could have been the perfect scenario for Michigan St. to fold. The Spartans were outplaying Michigan. But turnovers and a blown call on a touchdown that should not have counted eventually led to them trailing, 21-14, in the third quarter.

And then, something changed. The Spartans showed the resolve past teams lacked. They delivered the last 21 points and beat their in-state rivals, 35-21.

“We are definitely more mature because you can see that we are ranked,’’ said senior safety Otis Wiley who missed last week’s game. “We know that as high as you can get, you can easily drop the next day.’’

So at 7-2 and in the Big Ten conference race, the Spartans cannot take suddenly struggling perennial power Wisconsin for granted. Yes, the Badgers (4-4) have misfired throughout the conference season, but they may have found a spark in their 27-17 victory over Illinois. The Badgers are out of the conference race. They aren’t out of a bowl race.

Michigan St. coach Mark Dantonio has made it no secret that he talks about bowls and championships with his team because that’s what he wants his players to believe. He probably learned more about his team the way it bounced back from the Ohio State loss.

Perhaps the Spartan offense is finally offering a serious two-dimensional look. Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer threw for a season-high 282 yards and three touchdown passes.

Hoyer looked composed and did not appear frustrated when the game looked difficult.

He handled it with great poise.

That’s what senior quarterbacks must do, especially when they are leading a team that is in contention.

“All our goals are intact right now,’’ Hoyer said. “And we have the opportunity to win three more games and be Big Ten champions. The win last weekend is past and we have bigger things to accomplish now.’’

Hoyer’s success will be determined by how well Javon Ringer plays. And that’s been at a high level all season. Ringer (1,373 yards) leads the nation in touchdowns (16) and yards per game (152.6).

Wisconsin has had its share of defensive problems, so if the Badger defense has trouble containing Ringer, then the Spartans could get control of the game in the first half.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has had offensive issues because he changed quarterbacks. He benched Allan Evridge and went with Dustin Scherer. Scherer looked steady in the win against Illinois. He was only 12-of-22 for 174 yards but threw two touchdowns.

Bielema also changed starting running backs from P.J. Hill to John Clay. Clay didn’t wow against Illinois (25-88) but he was good enough. The two might split time for the duration of the season.

If the Badgers have put away their early conference blues, there is no reason to think they can’t pull off the upset. It may not come in the fashion of last year’s wild 37-34 Wisconsin win.

But with so much to play for and a sense of confidence, this version of Michigan St. should get it done.

Prediction: Michigan State 26, Wisconsin 20

MSU Notable:

• Spartan quarterback Brian Hoyer was named Big Ten offensive player of the week for the first time in his career after his strong performance against Michigan last week.
• Mark Dantonio is the first coach in program history to record at least seven wins in each of his first two seasons.
• Senior running back Javon Ringer needs only 61 yards to become Michigan St.’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards. He has 5,092 yards. Lorenzo White is has the record of 5,152. Ringer’s 4,134 career rushing yards are third on the school’s rushing list.

> Find more Big Ten football news online at Big Ten Fans!