Chryst has been around Big Ten football long enough to know what to expect when playing Michigan State. The eighth-ranked Badgers host Michigan State this Saturday (3:30 p.m. EDT, 2:30 CDT, BTN), and Chryst is drawing from his past experiences going against East Lansing's Big Ten team for preparation this week.

“You know you were in for a heck of a ball game, and obviously a ton of respect for coach Dantonio, not just what he’s done program-wise but how they play football," Chryst said during his press conference on Monday. "You knew it was going to be a physical game. You knew you had to be tough, you knew that in every phase.” 

Chryst holds a combined 4-5 record against Michigan State as both a player and coach in the Wisconsin football program. But, as a head coach, he beat the Spartans in his lone meeting, when the Badgers pummeled MSU in 2016, 30-6 — which began a seven-game losing streak for MSU during its 3-9 year.

Chryst has had some talented teams in his five seasons as head man of the Badgers, but — led by Heisman-hopeful running back Jonathan Taylor — none may be better than the team the Spartans will have to slow down on Saturday afternoon.

Wisconsin's offense averages 43.4 points for game, good for 11th-best in all of college football and Taylor's 745 yards this season is good for third-best in the nation. On top of that, the Badgers have established a ferocious defensive unit that has completed three shutouts this season — granted against non-offensive powerhouses in South Florida, Central Michigan and Kent State last Saturday.

Michigan State will have its hands full when it travels to Camp Randall Stadium. And despite their 4-2 record this season, Chryst expects the same from the Spartans come Saturday afternoon.

"You had to earn everything you got, and still have a ton of respect for coach and what he’s done and obviously, good football players and good schemes," Chryst said. "You know you’re facing that when you go up against them.”