"In Nebraska there was less true called QB runs, and it was more of like the second act," defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said at Wednesday's press conference. "Wisconsin has more called QB run plays. Whether it's gap scheme or off of a zone scheme, so there is the similarity of running and the similarity of athleticism, but a little bit how they do it is a little bit different."

MSU's defense has held up better than the record suggests. Despite back-to-back double-digit losses that dropped the Spartans to 2-2, they rank 45th in the nation in total defense. They are allowing 314 yards per game, including just 190 through the air. The biggest struggle has been creating sacks and turnovers.

Just seven sacks all season is the clearest example, and the disparity is obvious over the past two games, when they recorded one sack while allowing 10. That trend will be hard to change against another mobile quarterback, one who has been sacked only three times this season, tied for the fewest in the Big Ten.

"The key to sacks against that type of player is to keep him in the pocket, and then he starts to get a little antsy, and the walls close in on him," Rossi said.

Takeaways have been even harder to come by. The Spartans have just one interception and one fumble recovery, and they haven't forced a turnover since Week 2. Even the secondary has yet to come up with an interception, as the lone pick came from graduate edge rusher Kenny Soares Jr.

Lucky for MSU, Wisconsin's Joseph is prone to throwing interceptions. He threw 10 last year in 12 games with Old Dominion, and the trend has continued. Now with the Badgers, he has already thrown five in four games, tying for fifth in the nation.

The odds are in the Spartans' favor against a quarterback who has thrown an interception in three of his four games, but will a banged-up defense be able to take advantage? That question has loomed since Saturday, when injuries hit MSU's defense hard.

Both starting cornerbacks are on the Spartans' injury report released Wednesday, but with different outlooks. Sophomore Tyran Chappell is listed as out, while graduate Tre Bell is questionable. Backups senior NiJhay Burt and sophomore Keshawn Williams are also out.

Starting linebackers Jordan Hall and Brady Pretzlaff have yet to play a complete game together, as each has missed time this season with injuries. Now, for the first time, both could be out at once, with Hall listed as doubtful and Pretzlaff as questionable. Seniors Dion Crawford and Cam Stodghill, also linebackers, are questionable too.

Graduate linebacker Caleb Wheatland is ready to step in if needed. The Auburn transfer has 42 games of career experience, making him well-equipped to wear the green-dot helmet and relay Rossi's play calls. He showed his capabilities with a team-high of nine tackles against Nebraska.

"We have to be prepared just as much as the guy that started," Wheatland said. "It's just consistently preparing throughout the week and understanding that my role is as important as the guy ahead."

The Spartan offense faces a Wisconsin defense coming off a strong performance, which could put added pressure on Rossi's defense. Rossi, however, wants his players focused on doing their job.

"That's always a trap, I think for the defense when you start worrying about that," Rossi said of trying to make up for the offense. "Our job is to limit the score. That's always our job. And so if we do that, we'll give ourselves the best chance to win football games."

MSU (2-2) will look to snap its two-game losing streak with a road Big Ten win over Wisconsin (3-1). Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will air on Big Ten Network.