Vibes are high for the Wisconsin football team following their 24-20 comeback victory over Penn State.
Next up for the Badgers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) are the Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten), who are banged up and coming off a 31-13 loss to Nebraska. During that loss to the Cornhuskers, MSU lost their star running back, Cam Edwards, to injury.
The Spartans, who have a lengthy injury list, will limp into Camp Randall to take on Wisconsin in the Badgers’ homecoming game.
Here’s the opponent preview for the Week 5 matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Michigan State Spartans.
Wisconsin vs. Penn State game info and betting odds
When: Saturday, Sept. 26th — 11:30 a.m. CT
Where: Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, WI
How to watch: Big Ten Network
How to listen: Badger Radio Network
Wisconsin enters its Week 5 matchup as a 9.5-point favorite over the Spartans, according to FanDuel.
Spread: -9.5 (-104)
Moneyline: -385
Over/under: 43.5 points
ESPN Analytics Matchup Predictor: Wisconsin - 67.3%
Opposing players to know
• QB Alessio Milivojevic
With the Spartans losing Cam Edwards for a while, quarterback Alessio Milivojevic will carry a lot of responsibility.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback has thrown for 748 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing 67% of his passes through four games this season.
Milivojevic has a strong arm and has multiple deep completions this season, including this bomb against Notre Dame in Week 3.
The Wisconsin secondary held up against Rocco Becht on the road last week, holding him to just 114 passing yards. If they can keep Milivojevic in check, the Badgers should be in good shape on Saturday.
• DL Ben Roberts
The Spartans rank 48th in the country in rushing defense, giving up just 124 yards per game. Defensive lineman Ben Roberts is a big reason why.
Although the 6-3, 325-pound defensive lineman has just seven tackles this season, he has been a big part of plugging up the middle.
According to PFF, Roberts has an elite run-defense grade of 86.3, making him the third-ranked defensive lineman in the entire country with at least 70 snaps.
The Badgers will need to get their running game going on Saturday, but Roberts will make it difficult.
Matchup history
Wisconsin and Michigan State will face off for the 56th time on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 31-24 over the Badgers.
The two programs last squared off in 2022, when the Badgers fell to the Spartans, 34-28, in 2OT. In the loss, quarterback Graham Mertz threw for 131 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Braelon Allen ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Former Badgers running back Jalen Berger ran for 59 yards and a touchdown against his former team. Receivers Jayden Reed and Keon Coleman combined for 196 yards and three touchdowns against UW.
Wisconsin has a 14-14 all-time record against Michigan State at Camp Randall.
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