Wisconsin vs. Michigan State: 8 Reasons the Spartans Will Stifle Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers have not enjoyed their last few trips to East Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans have repeatedly taken care of Wisconsin at home, a streak that started with the 2004 thrashing of the then No.4 Badgers.

This year will be no different as the Spartans boast the toughest, and possibly the best, defense in the country. There were questions regarding the level of offensive competition they had faced until they thoroughly frustrated Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines last week.

Russell Wilson and the Badger offense lead the country in scoring at over 50 points a game.

The following slides will demonstrate how the Spartans will be knocking Wisconsin off of their pedestal.

1. Jerel Worthy

The 6'3" 300-pound Jerel Worthy is the anchor of the Michigan State Spartans defense, both literally and figuratively.

Worthy came into the season with experts bestowing potential top five draft pick status upon him. In the face of all that hype, some felt he has faltered coming out of the gate because his stats don't jump off the page.

His detractors don't take into account that his mere presence causes chaos. When he is humming, so much attention has to be shifted his way that it frees up everyone else on the defense to make plays.

1. Jerel Worthy Continued

This would be the slide where the 6'7" 280-pound William Gholston would be discussed because the defensive end has finally arrived this year. There is no doubt the loss of Gholston to a one-game suspension hurts against the behemoth Wisconsin offensive line. 

His replacement, Denzel Drone (who gives up five inches and 18 pounds to Gholston) should find himself free to work with the interior tackles calling for so much attention. 

Jerel Worthy and starting nose tackle Kevin Pickleman combine for a weight of about 600 pounds. 

2. Kirk Cousins Will Be Smart with the Football

Kirk Cousins has done well for most of his career to keep his interceptions to a minimum. That's all well and good but Spartan fans have anxiously waited for him to take another step forward and become more prolific.

However, that isn't necessary to for Michigan State and their defense to send the Badgers home with a loss. They need to keep the Badgers in front of them and force them to go the entire field on scoring drives and this starts with Cousins and the offense.

Cousins' decision making with the football will be a huge advantage in the field position game.

3. Russell Wilson Has Been Amazing . . .

Russell Wilson has been having a special season for the Wisconsin Badgers. Any Heisman conversation must include Wilson at this point. 

Since he has arrived on campus, the hype has been constant. It isn't often that a stud quarterback changes schools due to the seldom-used graduate school transfer rule.

Wilson has taken well to his roles as a leader and a quarterback as evinced by an unblemished record, 16 touchdowns and a ridiculous 12.16 yard per passing attempt. 

..But the Badgers Have Yet to Play Anybody

Wisconsin's strength of schedule is pathetic and the cause behind their relatively low BCS rank. They have played just one ranked opponent and one FCS opponent.

The ranked opponent, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, may not even be that good either thanks to an easy schedule.

The combined record of Wisconsin's opponents thus far is a lowly 18-23.

The Badgers will be running into one of the nation's top rated defenses in Michigan State. Everyone saw what they did to Denard Robinson so it is abundantly clear what they can do against running quarterbacks. 

4. Edwin Baker and LeVeon Bell

The best way to slow down an explosive offense like the Wisconsin Badgers is to control the clock by running the ball. 

Michigan State is one of the best equipped teams in the nation to handle that task.

Edwin Baker has not been as effective this year but the offensive line might have needed some time to gel. Last week against Michigan, Baker racked up 167 yards and averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry.

In addition, LeVeon Bell is more than a capable backup. He would be a starter on many other teams and he already has six touchdowns this season. 

5. Pat Narduzzi

Pat Narduzzi has been the defensive coordinator at Michigan State for five years and he is already establishing a legacy of fielding a tough, nasty defense.

Last year, his defense helped lead Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten Championship. They played with a discipline and intensity that completely took away the run.

There was some concern in East Lansing this year after losing All-American linebacker Greg Jones and his running mate Eric Gordon.

Narduzzi hasn't allowed the defense to miss a beat while plugging in new players like Max Bullough and getting big time recruits like William Gholston to shine. 

6. Max Bullough

Max Bullough comes from a long line of Spartans and he has not disappointed the family in his first year as a starter.

He began the year hot, piling up 15 tackles in the opening game against Youngstown State. He tapered off a little over the next three games but has ratcheted it back up the last two weeks by recording at least eight tackles and a half sack each game.

Even when his statistics aren't great, he is still quarterbacking one of the best defenses in the nation.

Wisconsin loves to run the ball and Bullough is more than capable of meeting their stud running backs in the hole.

7. Michigan State's Secondary

Michigan State's secondary had been a subject of ridicule for years, especially prior to Mark Dantonio's arrival. 

That is no longer the case as the secondary boasts some experienced veterans capable of making plays.

Johnny Adams garnered All Big Ten honors last year and made Phil Steele's All Big Ten team at the halfway mark this season.

Trenton Robinson is starting his 26th game for the Spartans and was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list in the preseason. The Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in the nation.

The Badgers will be in trouble if they have to throw the ball on these two.

8. East Lansing

The biggest problem for the Wisconsin Badgers is that this game is being played in East Lansing.

Not only have the Badgers had little luck there over their last few visits, but this game promises to prove special for everyone involved on Michigan State's end.

Kickoff isn't until 8 pm, which means Spartan nation will have all day to tailgate and prepare to get rowdy once they enter the stadium. ESPN's College Gameday will also be on campus, which will only add to the buzz.

Good luck Wisconsin. You're going to need it.