Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Sparty, the mascot for the Michigan State Spartans, and Bucky Badger, the mascot of the Wisconsin Badgers, pose for a camera during the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers at Spartan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

What should we make of Wisconsin heading into the 2019 season? The Badgers have arguably the best running back in college football as Jonathan Taylor is coming off a 2,000-yard sophomore campaign as well as a strong offensive line and solid defense.

However, the quarterback position is a major question mark.

Gone is Alex Hornibrook who beat the Spartans as a freshman back in 2016 in the game that may have started their spiral to 3-9. He transferred to Florida State and failed to win the starting job over James Blackman there, and has given way to Jack Coan to be the starter — though many believe freshman Graham Mertz is the future.

Wisconsin’s offense is essentially just Taylor and everyone else, and that could be a problem for the Badgers against Michigan State’s No. 1 run defense. If the defense focuses on Taylor and makes Coan try to beat the Spartans with his arm, the Badgers could be in trouble.

Still, winning in Madison is one of the toughest things to do and the last time Michigan State accomplished this was 2012.

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