BCS Rankings: Wisconsin Choking Away National Title Chances vs. Spartans

The Wisconsin Badgers are trailing Michigan State 23-14 at halftime of tonight's game, and their national championship hopes are hanging in the balance.

The 6-0 Badgers have been annihilating foes this season, but they can't stop the Spartans offense. Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins has been nearly flawless, completing 8-of-10 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Wisconsin's usually stifling defense has also given up several huge plays tonight. Le'Veon Bell busted out a 32-yard run earlier and Keshawn Martin added a 34-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Later in the second, Cousins hooked up with B.J. Cunningham for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Badgers defense has prevented big plays all season long, but they are having mental lapses all over the field tonight.

And it's not just their defense that's making crucial mistakes.

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked in the endzone at the beginning of the second quarter, giving the Spartans a safety. And right before halftime, the Badgers special teams screwed up, too.

Wisconsin allowed the Spartans to block a punt and score a touchdown with 37 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Spartans knew that they would have to play almost perfectly to upset Wisconsin, and they are doing just that.

The Badgers are clearly flustered, making mental and physical errors that they have abstained from all season long.

If Wisconsin wants to keep their national championship hopes alive, they better figure things out in the second half.