Wisconsin-Michigan State Preview Capsule
The Associated Press
No. 11 Wisconsin (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 8 Michigan State (2-0, 0-0), 12:01 p.m. (BTN)
Line: Michigan State by 5.
Series Record: Michigan State leads 30-22.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Both teams have marquee wins already this season — Wisconsin against LSU and Michigan State at Notre Dame — to raise the stakes a bit in this early Big Ten clash. The Badgers are starting a brutal five-game stretch that includes games against Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan State WR R.J. Shelton vs. the Wisconsin defense. Shelton had eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame, but that's deceiving since some of his "catches" were little flips forward from QB Tyler O'Connor — essentially handoffs as Shelton came across behind the line of scrimmage. The Spartans can use Shelton in a variety of ways.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wisconsin: RB Corey Clement, Wisconsin's leading rusher, was listed as questionable for this game because of a left ankle injury. The Badgers have been secretive this week about whether Bart Houston or Alex Hornibrook will start at QB, and they may try to lean on the running game if Clement is healthy.
Michigan State: LB Jon Reschke is coming off a tremendous performance against Notre Dame that included a forced fumble and an interception.
FACTS & FIGURES
The last time Wisconsin played at Spartan Stadium was in 2011, when Michigan State won 37-31 on a tiebreaking Hail Mary on the game's final play. ... Michigan State has won six of its last seven games against ranked opponents — the lone defeat was against Alabama in last year's national semifinals. ... The Spartans and Badgers have each won three Big Ten titles in the last six seasons. They finished in a tie for the championship in 2010, so 2014 (Ohio State) was the only year in that span when the title went exclusively to someone else.
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