Saturday afternoon’s Michigan State vs Wisconsin game is going to turn some heads not because the two teams playing are elite — actually far from it — but rather because the Spartans and Badgers are on fairly even playing fields.
Michigan State is entering Saturday’s game on a two-game losing streak after falling at Notre Dame, 27-10, and then coming back home and shooting itself in the foot en route to a 31-13 loss to Nebraska. The Notre Dame loss was almost expected but the 18-point defeat against Nebraska in East Lansing was very disappointing, and Pat Fitzgerald would agree.
The Spartans will now get another shot to beat a team closer to their tier as they head to Madison to take on the 3-1 Badgers who are fresh off their biggest win of the season.
Wisconsin went to Happy Valley last week and upset the No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions, but that win isn’t looking quite as impressive now that Matt Campbell and Co. just lost to Northwestern by three scores on Friday night. Woof.
These two teams are still both fighting for respect and something’s got to give on Saturday afternoon.
Michigan State vs Wisconsin final betting odds
Odds via DraftKings as of Oct. 3.
Line: Wisconsin -9.5
Over/Under: 43.5
Moneyline: Wisconsin -360 | Michigan State +285
Vegas is still clearly leaning heavily toward Wisconsin, but some of the money coming in had to be on the Spartans because the line opened up at 10.5 in favor of the Badgers. It’s moving in Michigan State’s direction ever-so-slightly.
Will the Badgers be on upset alert? I think this has a real chance to be a letdown game for Wisconsin, especially with how hard Fitzgerald has taken the last two losses.
Predicting Michigan State vs Wisconsin
Michigan State is going to come out looking a lot better offensively than it did over the past two weeks and that’s going to have Wisconsin on the ropes early on.
The Spartans’ defense is going to struggle, unfortunately, with so many guys out in the secondary and the linebacking unit, but the offense will find a way to hang with Wisconsin.
Jaz Patterson is going to surprise some people along with Marvis Parrish and Alessio Milivojevic will play well enough to have the Spartans in the game until the end. Former Spartan Tyrell Henry may be the difference, however, as the secondary will struggle with him.
Final Score: Michigan State 24, Wisconsin 28
Add us as a preferred source on Google