The outcome already feels written. Eighty thousand fans at Camp Randall Stadium will be jumping around, singing in unison as their Badgers plan to coast into the fourth quarter with a blowout win.

But what if that isn’t the result and the Spartans somehow find a spark in Madison? Well, it’s going to take remarkable efforts from numerous backup players, considering MSU enters with 15 names listed on its injury report.

MSU (2-2) will go on the road against Wisconsin (3-1) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET, and the game will air on Big Ten Network. 

Injuries are inevitable

Spartan fans are accustomed to injuries decimating their roster early in the season, but head coach Pat Fitzgerald brings an understanding of how to navigate them from his 17-year tenure at Northwestern. 

“Everyone needs to prepare like a starter,” junior defensive lineman Eli Coenen said. “If you’re a true freshman and don’t know if you’re getting on the field or not, you should prepare and execute like you’re a starter, because you never know when your time is going to be called up.”

The depth will be tested at the linebacker and cornerback positions the most.

Sophomore linebacker Brady Pretzlaff is questionable after missing last week and most of the Spartans’ matchup against Notre Dame the week prior. Seniors Cam Stodghill and Dion Crawford were added to the injury report this week and are also listed as questionable. Senior captain Jordan Hall, however, is doubtful, leaving MSU without its top defender against Wisconsin’s run-pass-option (RPO) heavy offense.

The secondary has injury concerns, too. Three cornerbacks have already been ruled out: senior NiJhay Burt, sophomore Keshawn Williams and sophomore Tyran Chappell. Graduate Tre Bell III, MSU’s highest-rated transfer addition according to 247Sports, is also questionable. Four missing cornerbacks would leave a Spartan defense that already gives up more than 12 yards per completion extremely vulnerable in coverage.

How the Badgers thrive

It’s easy to understand how Wisconsin strung together three consecutive wins when looking at three of the most important areas of the game: defense, offensive line play and red zone efficiency.

The Badgers have emerged as one of the best defensive teams in the nation. Despite allowing an enormous 41 points in its opener against Notre Dame, Wisconsin has recovered and allowed 39 points across the last three games. Its reestablished identity is enough to rank 28th in the nation in total defense at 275.2 yards per game and 22nd in pass defense at 163.8 passing yards per game. 

Saturday will mark the third straight week that sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic faces a top-25 pass defense. 

One of the most underrated aspects of this Wisconsin team is its ability to protect quarterback Colton Joseph. The 2025 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year has allowed fewer than a sack per game with 5.75. His comfort in the pocket is unmatched, which could spell trouble for an MSU defense that sacks the quarterback just 1.25 times per game, tied for 112th nationally.

“They’ve created some explosive plays, especially on play action and some shots down the field,” MSU defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said. “They’ve also done a good job after the catch. The O-line has done a good job in every game that they’ve played in, and the quarterback can create.”

The most impressive characteristic of this Wisconsin team is its red zone efficiency. Wisconsin is a perfect 12-for-12 inside the 20-yard line, with six drives ending in field goals and six finding the end zone. 

Where to win on the margins

The first letter of RPO offense stands for run. Yet the Badgers haven’t run the ball well at all. Wisconsin ranks 104th in rushing offense and 104th in time of possession. The Badgers struggle to control the ball because they aren’t running it efficiently enough to sustain drives. MSU will need to continue this trend, filling gaps and ensuring that the clock is in the Spartans’ control. 

Similar to the Spartans, the Badgers struggle to sack the quarterback. MSU needs to give Milivojevic time to throw, and the Naperville, Illinois, native needs to get the ball out on time. If there’s one thing the Spartans need to do well, it’s protect their quarterback.

“You can’t win games with negative plays like that; it’s point-blank,” Milivojevic said. “You can’t win plays with sacks and negative plays in general, turning the ball over. Just take care of the ball and get the ball out faster.”

In order to win on the margins, MSU will have to win the turnover battle. The Spartans have lost it the last two weeks because they haven’t gotten a takeaway, while they keep turning it over offensively. 

“We can't continue to do what we're doing and expect to win a Big Ten game,” Fitzgerald said. “We can't do that. If we’re not playing complementary football, it’s going to be really challenging.”