The Michigan State-Wisconsin rivalry has burned white-hot for the last two years. It began when a harmless prank by Bucky Badger drew bad blood with MSU which is still running through both teams today. Last year, Jim Sorgi threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans with 29 seconds left in the game as the Badgers pulled out a 17-10 victory in East Lansing.
Both teams limp into this meeting, as the Spartans are coming off a loss to Minnesota 28-19, while UW lost to Illinois 42-35 a week ago. This time the Spartans, with the worst run defense in the Big Ten (giving up an average of 218.0 yards per game), will go up against Anthony Davis, the leading rusher in the Big Ten. The Badgers' run defense, meanwhile, has been spotty at times and may let MSU tailback T.J. Duckett run wild in UW's backfield.
The Badgers will be without defensive linemen Delante McGrew and Darius Jones again due to injuries.
Both teams are very evenly matched and the contest could go either way. The outcome will depend on who has the stronger running game and who can make plays on defense.
