MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer vs. Wisconsin pass defense
The Badgers’ pass defense ranks seventh in the Big Ten for most yards allowed, and they have already given up seven touchdowns through the air – tying them for third most in the conference. Wisconsin allowed The Citadel, a lower division school, to pass for 254 yards and four touchdowns.
The Badgers return 6-foot-1, 193-pound lockdown cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who earned All-Big Ten honors last season, but they are inexperienced at safety. Hoyer should be able to find some holes while the Wisconsin secondary still works out the kinks in its scheme.
EDGE: MSU
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan vs. MSU pass defense
Tyler Donovan has had a solid start to his season, completing 59 percent of his passes for 761 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception. With Luke Swan and Travis Beckum, he has two of the top targets in the Big Ten.
Both have 20 catches, tying them for third most in the conference.
MSU’s pass defense ranks third in the Big Ten in yards allowed and is tied for second with five interceptions. However, the unit is riddled with injuries.
MSU’s pass rush has been a deadly weapon, racking up a conference-high 21 sacks already.
EDGE: Even
MSU running backs vs. Wisconsin rush defense
MSU is the only team that touts two top ten conference running backs, with junior Javon Ringer averaging the sixth most yards per game in the Big Ten, and senior Jehuu Caulcrick ranking tenth.
They will be the first test for the Badgers, who have yet to face backs who can control the game like Ringer and Caulcrick.
Wisconsin has allowed opponents only two rushing touchdowns all season. Linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, is an impact player who returns after starting all 13 games last season.
EDGE: MSU
Wisconsin running backs vs. MSU rush defense
This game will be all about stopping the 5-foot-11, 227-pound beast that is P.J. Hill. Hill led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 120.7 yards per game last season. He has only continued to impress this year and had five touchdowns against The Citadel (four rushing, one receiving).
The MSU run defense has bent but not broke so far this season.
They have been giving up at least one or two massive gains per game. Pittsburgh freshman running back LeSean McCoy ran for 172 yards and one touchdown against MSU two weeks ago.
Notre Dame, who up until last Saturday had accumulated minus-14 rushing yards on the season, ran for 117 against the Spartans.
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EDGE: Wisconsin
MSU wide receiver Devin Thomas vs. Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu
Playmaker against playmaker. Thomas is Hoyer’s go-to man in desperate situations, and this week he’ll be getting flogged by Ikegwuonu, who is ranked as the fifth best cornerback in the nation by The Sporting News.
Last year, Ikegwuonu was so stellar that quarterbacks dreaded throwing to his side of the field.
Thomas has been running great routes and getting open, but this week will test if he can live up to the title of “Showtime.”
EDGE: Even
Compiled by Jon Schultz
