“It’s a big deal and it’s very exciting,” Dantonio said Tuesday at a press conference.

“But at the same time, we have to stay controlled. … We need to get ready to play a football game.”

While both sides have adjusted their game plans since their last meeting on Oct. 22 — a game that was decided by a last-second 44-yard Hail Mary pass, giving the Spartans a 37-31 win — Dantonio expects most things to be duplicated.

With ESPN’s College GameDay being in attendance during their previous matchup in October, the Spartans and the Badgers will be no stranger to national attention.

The players’ emotions will be at the same high level coming in, and as Dantonio’s said all season, both teams run very similar, physical styles and match up well with each other.

“(In Wisconsin) you have a team that’s first in scoring, first in rushing, first in turnover margin,” Dantonio said.

“When you look at us, you have a team that’s first in sacks, first in rushing defense, first in total defense. … So there are a lot of similarities toward strengths.”

Not included on Dantonio’s list was how each team stacks up against each other’s passing game. MSU owns the second-best passing defense and Wisconsin is the second best at stopping it.

When the Badgers’ offense takes the field, they bring the fourth-best passing offense. And the Spartans’ defense? You guessed it. The fourth best at closing down the airways.

Junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy said this game will feature a lot of superstars. Many of the players he listed — both from MSU and Wisconsin —play the same position, pointing out key places where the game will be even.

“(Quarterbacks) Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins. (Wide receivers) Nick Toon and B.J. Cunningham,” Worthy said.

“Chris Borland, (and) you got Max Bullough at the other linebacker.”

Each of those players have equal experience as well — Wilson, Cousins, Cunningham and Toon are all seniors, Borland and Bullough are sophomores.

But for senior wide receiver Keith Nichol, who was on the receiving end of Cousins’ 44-yard heave, he can only slightly compare the two games. As he answers questions, he struggled getting past one alteration from last game.

“Loser goes to Capital One (Bowl), winner goes to Rose Bowl,” he said. “Huge difference.”

Big Ten honors
Senior wide receiver B.J. Cunningham earned All-Big Ten Second Team conference honors, which was announced Monday night. He was chosen on both the coaches’ and the media’s lists.

Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt was considered a lock for the All-Big Ten First Team by analysts, and Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins — who was also selected for the first team — outgained Cunningham by only 71 yards and scored two fewer touchdowns on team that finished 6-6.

Some believed Cunningham might have been snubbed, but he said he’s just grateful to have made the list, and is comforted by the fact the Spartans will be in Indianapolis this weekend.

“I wasn’t disappointed, but I was surprised,” Cunningham said.

“A.J. Jenkins, Marvin McNutt, they’re great receivers. Hats off to them. They had great seasons. But I just feel like I get to play in the championship game, and I’m happy about that. I get to keep playing.”

The big man is back
The Badgers have the fourth biggest offensive line in the NCAA and NFL combined. The five starting offensive linemen average 315 pounds, so for the Spartans to get William Gholston back for the rematch is a huge advantage — as the 6-foot-7 sophomore defensive end was voted to the All-Big Ten Second Team Defense.

After punching a Michigan player in the face the week prior to the first Wisconsin matchup, Gholston was suspended and had to watch his team from home, not even being allowed in Spartan Stadium.

Gholston said on Tuesday how happy he was to be back.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said.

“I’m extremely happy. Happy that I got the opportunity to be considered on the All-Big Ten ballot. Happy that I get a chance to play in the first Big Ten championship. It’s exciting, man.”