“They’re strong they’re big and they do the right thing all the time,” fifth-year senior center Kodi Kieler said of Wisconsin’s defensive line. “So just like last game we have to be gap strong and the whole offensive line as to do their job.”

Wisconsin’s defense has allowed only an average of 82.3 yards per game and only one rushing touchdown all season. The Badgers were able to keep Heisman contender LSU running back Leonard Fournette out of the endzone, but did allow him to rush for 138 yards.

MSU and Wisconsin have grinded out tough battles in the trenches in the past, as both teams through the years have relied on stout running backs to carry the load. When the Big Ten is cited as playing the ground and pound physical football, MSU-Wisconsin usually fits the mold.

In their 2012 matchup the teams combined for 90 yards rushing. MSU amassed only 277 yards in the game while Wisconsin collected only 190 yards in the 16-13 overtime victory for the Spartans.

“First thing we have to do is establish a run game,” fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor said. “It’s going to be tough, they’re always very physical up front and they’re going to pack the box.”

Wisconsin’s linebacking corps boasts a wealth of experience and talent behind Jack Cichy and T.J. Watt. who have accounted for 29 tackles. T.J. Edwards has also chipped in 13 tackles and Vince Biegel has provided eight tackles.

The linebackers are used often, fluctuating between different packages which will present MSU some different looks.

“They have a great front seven and they switch their fronts up quite a bit,” O’Connor said, adding it’d be transition from what MSU saw against Notre Dame.

The Badgers’ game plan is also predicated on physicality from the linebackers, something fifth-year tight end Jamal Lyles will keep an eye on.

“They play great technique,” Lyles said. “They’re similar to us in a sense that they want to out physical the team and play hard at tight end, we just have to control the edges.”

If MSU can control the edges, having multiple running backs in the back field might be MSU’s biggest advantage. Switching out the running backs throughout the game will keep MSU with fresh legs late in the game against a defensive unit that will have played nearly every snap.

On the flip side, Wisconsin’s offensive line is all 6-foot-6 and more than 310 pounds, except for left guard Micah Kapoi, who is 6-foot-3. In recent years Wisconsin has boasted a troupe of running backs able to create space and burn speed on the edges because of the force of the offensive line.

After giving up only 57 yards on the ground to Notre Dame, the offensive line and the linebacking corps for the Spartans will have its biggest test in stopping the ground attack.

“We have to be physical,” junior linebacker Chris Frey said. “They’re probably the biggest offensive line we’re going to face all year.”

Frey and the linebackers will more than likely face their fair share of tackles against Wisconsin if the running backs are able to reach the second level of the defense.

“They have a lot of athletic guys who are very big and powerful on the line, and we just have to be powerful ourselves and be gap sound and be perfect almost everything we do,” Frey said.

Wisconsin running back Corey Clement is questionable for the game on Saturday, and Wisconsin quarterback Bart Houston, who was yanked from the game against Georgia State, appears back as the starter for the game.

MSU’s defense will have opportunities to succeed as long as it stops the running game and can force Wisconsin to put the game into Houston’s hands.