Based on that alone, MSU would likely have a successful offensive day, yet the Spartans finished with a measly three points. 

Leading up to the loss, head coach Pat Fitzgerald and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan stressed the importance of taking what the defense gave them, settling for checkdowns rather than taking shots over the top. Sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic executed his coaches' game plan that kept the ball out of harm's way for the first time in weeks; however, more problems ensued.

“I just want to see us grow on those explosives and get the ball downfield more, so I think just being able to balance those and do both at the same time is something that we’re going to have to continue to grow,” Milivojevic said.

MSU’s inability to generate explosive plays is defining its consistently substandard offensive showings. The Spartans didn’t produce a single gain of more than 10 yards. Yet, the team didn’t turn over the football.

“Taking care of the football and eliminating negative plays; those are good things,” Sheridan said. “Let’s keep doing that. But then we’ve got to be more explosive, and we’re all responsible for that.”

The lack of explosives wasn’t the only problem. MSU also struggled to keep drives alive and convert on fourth down. The Spartans had been nearly flawless, 6-for-7, on fourth-down conversions, but only managed 1-of-6 in Madison. 

Although MSU didn’t turn the ball over by interception or fumble, five drives ended in a turnover on downs. The result was effectively the same: another possession ended without points and the ball back in the Badgers’ hands. 

It’s understandable why Fitzgerald and Sheridan decided to be aggressive in certain areas of the field.

"Scared money don't make money," Fitzgerald said Monday. Still, the Spartans have to be better in those situations, and they have to be more timely in their decision to risk picking up the sticks.

“There are certainly plays that we could point to where we’re attempting to be aggressive, and we didn’t do good enough,” Sheridan said. “That starts with us because, as coaches, you’ve got to make sure that those plays can be executed in those moments.”

Fitzgerald has emphasized his aggressive, go-for-it approach since Week 1. He’ll never be afraid to go for it, but he also said he’s never going to be reckless.

Against Wisconsin, that approach only yielded one conversion on fourth down compared to five failed attempts.

The Spartans cannot tolerate that production moving forward, but it’s another concern that could impact Saturday afternoon’s result against Illinois. Once again, MSU will be tasked with finding a way to fix a problem from the week before. Only this time, not creating another.

“This is an unforgiving league,” Sheridan said. “You don’t really have time. There’s no pity party here. We better get up off the mat and come back ready to work and attack the week.”