Wisconsin turned in another defensive clinic against Michigan State to improve their record to 4-0 in their first true road game.
Wisconsin was an underdog against Michigan State, but came out of it as an overwhelming favorite to get to the Big Ten Championship Game. They proved that their win over LSU wasn’t a fluke, and that they deserved their number 11 ranking. But this win should get them back into the top 10.
While nobody denied that Wisconsin had talent, their biggest problem was their strength of schedule. Five of their games came against preseason Top 25 opponents, including their first four games in the Big Ten. They’ve weathered the storm so far, improving to 4-0, but it won’t get any easier with back-to-back games against Michigan and Ohio State. However, this win should give them all the confidence in the world.
These were the three biggest takeaways from Wisconsin’s dominant win over Michigan State:
1. Michigan State is not winning the Big Ten again
It’s not what Spartans fans want to hear, but their quest to win the Big Ten is over after just their third game. It’s the cruel nature of college football that your season can be over that quickly, but that’s the case. A road win against Notre Dame was great in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee, but a home loss to Wisconsin effectively negates it. And in a division as hard as the Big Ten East, running the table is the best way to get to the Big Ten Championship Game.
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Michigan State did get to the Championship last year with a conference loss. But their loss to Nebraska was a close, and controversial, one, and they were able to negate it by beating Ohio State on the road. When you look this flat at home, you don’t deserve to win the Big Ten, let alone the Big Ten East.
2. What quarterback controversy?
Even though Wisconsin outplayed LSU in every facet of the game, Bart Houston’s performance left a lot to be desired. He threw for no touchdowns and two interceptions and got yanked against Georgia State in Week 3. Alex Hornibrook led them to a comeback in that game, and while he wasn’t great against Michigan State, he was very calm and composed.
He recovered from an opening-drive fumble to lead his team to a 16-play touchdown drive. You hardly ever see that from a redshirt freshman. His stat line wasn’t very impressive, but he’s certainly won the coaching staff over. Plus Corey Clement can take the pressure off of him. Until he has a slip-up, you can expect Hornibrook to lead the Badgers onto the field for the foreseeable future.
3. Wisconsin’s defense can beat anybody
The appointment of Justin Wilcox might very well be the best move Wisconsin made this offseason. It was a strength of theirs last year, as they finished as the top team in the Big Ten in total defense. But they’ve looked like world beaters against two Top 10 opponents in the opening four weeks.
This wasn’t a breakout game, either – they’ve been doing this all season. Against LSU, D’Cota Dixon got the game-sealing pick, and in this game, he forced the fumble that led to Wisconsin’s third touchdown. Leo Musso and Sojourn Shelton are both seniors and turned in inspired performances.
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We’ll see if this defense will have their way against Michigan and Ohio State, whose offensive units are much more explosive than Michigan State’s. But considering their resumes this season, they shouldn’t be counted out anymore. Michigan State usually carries the disrespect mantle, but perhaps it’s the Badgers’ turn to take it up.