For fans attending the game, it is the annual “Stripe the Stadium” event, where fans in the sections listed below are encouraged to wear either green or white, depending on where they are seated.

Don't forget to wear your Green or White on Saturday! https://t.co/SqjSnLRLHS #StripeTheStadium pic.twitter.com/nFymj5d7sj

— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) September 22, 2016

The last seven meetings between MSU and the University of Wisconsin have all been decided by 10 points or less. Head coach Mark Dantonio is 4-3 against the Badgers, though the meeting in 2010 was won under former offensive coordinator Don Treadwell as Dantonio recovered from a heart attack.

INJURY REPORT

Wisconsin:

OUT: Linebacker Chris Orr, placekicker Rafael Gaglianone and running back Bradrick Shaw

QUESTIONABLE: running backs Corey Clement and Taiwan Deal

MSU:

None to report

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Big day for R.J. Shelton

Senior wide receiver R.J. Shelton is the only member of the Spartan football roster from the state of Wisconsin, and the game will have extra meaning for him. He will be the Spartans' fourth captain for the game, and fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor knows how much the game means to him.

“I think he knows a lot of these guys (on Wisconsin) on a personal level almost, whether it’s from high school or in recruiting,” O’Connor said. “So obviously it’s very personal for him. He’ll definitely bring that extra itch that he’s got, and he started it off great against Notre Dame and I’m sure he’ll carry that into Wisconsin.”

Shelton had eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame after returning from an injury that sidelined him for the final three quarters of the season opener against Furman.

2. Ground and pound

Both sides are expected to run the ball at will, especially Wisconsin, who ran the ball 146 times so far this season compared to just 88 times throwing the ball. The Badgers rely heavily on Clement, who in two games this year has 42 carries for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

Either way, head coach Mark Dantonio sees similarities between the two sides, particularly in their strategy come game time.

“They did it the hard way where they had been down a little bit at one point, built it back up, had a consistent winning program and stability and continuity,” Dantonio said. “I thought that was one thing we wanted to have. We wanted to continuity here. We wanted to have strength in the schedule, do all the things they've been doing, Rose Bowls and things of that nature.”

The Spartans also rely on the run, led by sophomore LJ Scott, who like Clement has 42 carries but for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Gerald Holmes separated himself as the clear number two back following a 100-yard, two touchdown performance against the Irish.

3. Special teams will be a major factor on both sides

The special teams unit showed improvement against Notre Dame, and the season has been a major improvement for sophomore punter Jake Hartbarger. Hartbarger has 10 punts on the year, five of which have been pinned inside the 20-yard line.

“I tell you what, his pooch punts are what he needed to work on; the little things,” special teams coach Mark Staten said. “(Offensive Line Coach Mark) Staten and (Director of Personnel/Player Development Dino) Folino have done a great job with him. He is downing the ball and we are getting some great hidden yardage. That ball is not going into the end zone. He is downing that ball inside of the 10-yard line. He is doing a great job with that.”

Senior kicker Michael Geiger is still an unknown this year, missing his only field goal attempt in week one. However, the coverage teams on both kickoffs and punt returns has been better than last year.

For the University of Wisconsin, they have an unproven kicker filling in for Gaglianone, who is one of the better kickers in the conference. Their coverage unit is well-proven as well, and field position will be an important battle.

4. New man in charge for Badgers

The University of Wisconsin announced that redshirt-freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook would get the starting nod against the Spartans over senior Bart Houston, who led the Badgers to a 2-0 record including a victory over then-No. 5 ranked Louisiana State University. 

Houston was replaced with Hornibrook in the last contest against Georgia Southern University, where Hornibrook led the Badgers back to a close 23-17 win. Hornibrook finished the game 8-of-12 passing for 122 yards and a touchdown, and also saw time against the University of Akron, going a perfect 5-of-5 for a touchdown in that game.

With a relatively young and inexperience leader in the huddle, the Spartan defensive line will have to force hurries and pressure and get to the young quarterback’s head.

5. Clement is the key

Wisconsin’s main man at the running back position will most likely try to make a run at playing, despite the injury, for the sheer importance of the game. Wisconsin’s offense looked lost against Georgia State University, and had a lot to do with his absence.

“He's a Wisconsin-type back,” Dantonio said. “When they look back to all the guys they've had in their background, in their recent history, he's like those guys. He's a difference maker.”

The Badgers have two other running backs in Deal and Dare Ogunbowale, who have more than 20 carries this year, but Clement is the man who makes the offense run. If he is unable to go, the Badgers could have a long day generating offense.

PREDICTIONS

NATHANIEL BOTT

MSU WINS IF…

Scott outruns Clement and MSU speeds up the game to make the Badgers uncomfortable

MSU LOSES IF…

Wisconsin finds rhythm at quarterback and the offensive line fails to pick up linebacker blitzes

SCORE

MSU 28 WIS 17

STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI

MSU WINS IF…

Tyler O’Connor continues to manage games and the offense keeps the playbook open like it did at Notre Dame

MSU LOSES IF…

The defensive line gives up 200-plus yards on the ground and MSU shies away from going to its targets

SCORE

MSU 32, Wis 20

SPECIAL NOTE

On Thursday evening, former MSU punter Mike Sadler was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. His unsuspected death brought sorrow and tears to not only his family, friends and the MSU football team and staff, but to the entire Spartan community. As a tribute, the helmet at midfield of Spartan Stadium will honor Sadler as part of his Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

As part of the hall of fame induction this weekend, MSU will honor Hall of Famer Mike Sadler with his #3 at midfield in Spartan Stadium. pic.twitter.com/m2Vq9PnQwM

— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) September 22, 2016