Wisconsin vs. Michigan State: Game of the Week Breakdown

The Big Ten Championship will pit the Wisconsin Badgers against the Michigan State Spartans. These two teams also met in Week 8, resulting in a Badger loss.

The Spartans finished the regular season with a 10-2 record. This was good enough to grab the top spot in the Legends Division of the Big Ten, with key victories over Michigan and Wisconsin paving the way.

Wisconsin is also 10-2. They won the Leaders Division in the final week of the season with their 45-7 beat-down of Penn State in Camp Randall. Besides Penn State, the only major Badger victory came against Nebraska in Week 5.

Both of these teams are solid from top to bottom. They play consistent football with a working-man's attitude.

Michigan State had a week to find out who they would face in Indianapolis. With Wisconsin coming to town, they must anticipate a bad taste in the mouths of Badger players after their Week 8 Hail Mary debacle.

Here is how the first-ever Big Ten Championship game breaks down.

The Quarterbacks

Wisconsin and Michigan State both have very consistent and capable quarterbacks.

Russell Wilson changed the identity of the Badger offense from the time he stepped foot on campus. He adds a vertical dimension to their attack and allows their offense to keep opposing defenses off balance.

He also has the ability to elude the pass rush because of his running ability and play recognition.

Kirk Cousins is also consistent for the Spartans, although he lacks Wilson's mobility. He does not possess a huge arm, but he understands the Spartan system and is an adequate decision maker.

In terms of yardage, both are just shy of the 3,000-yard mark. Wilson holds a seven-touchdown advantage in the passing category, but both are very skilled leaders for their respective offenses.

Wilson's ability to make plays outside of the pocket could play a huge factor in the outcome of this matchup.

The Running Backs

Both Wisconsin and Michigan State lean on two running backs in their backfield.

Montee Ball and James White tote the rock for the Badgers, while Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker handle rushing duties for the Spartans.

Ball is the headliner of the group. He has over 1,600 yards on the ground to go with 34 total touchdowns. White has chipped in over 600 yards and six touchdowns to the Badgers' ground attack.

Bell and Baker do not have the gaudy numbers of Ball, but they are solid nonetheless. Bell has nearly 800 yards and 10 touchdowns, with Baker chipping in over 400 yards and four rushing scores.

The Spartans and the Badgers will both do their fair share of handing the ball off.

Ball and White have the reputation and numbers to back it up, but don't sleep on the ability of Bell and Baker against an unproven Badger defense.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Wisconsin will feature Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis in their passing attack in the Big Ten Championship.

Both wideouts have over 700 yards receiving. Toon has nine touchdown receptions as opposed to Abbrederis' six.

The Badger wideouts, along with tight end Jacob Pedersen, are possession receivers. Toon can stretch the field with his size and Abbrederis does a great job of working underneath with his speed and quickness.

B.J. Cunningham has over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns for the Spartans. He is a veteran target with big-play ability.

Complementing Cunningham is Keshawn Martin, with over 600 yards and four touchdowns.

The Spartans do not utilize their tight end as much when near the end zone, but Brian Linthicum does have 23 catches on the season.

A big play or two from either receiving core could swing the momentum of this game dramatically.

The Offensive Lines

Both offensive lines will be extremely important in the Big Ten Championship game.

Wisconsin's front five are known for their ability to steamroll opposing defenses, as their average weight is larger than their in-state NFL counterparts, the Green Bay Packers. That is scary for defenders forced to line up in front of these hogs.

The Badger line will look to open holes for Montee Ball and James White consistently. If they handle the Spartan front four, it could be a long day for Mark D'Antonio and Michigan State.

The Spartan line will need to protect Kirk Cousins in the pocket. They may not have the Badgers' scary size, but they are a solid unit in their own right.

If Cousins can get time to find B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin down the field, it will allow Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker room to work in the trenches of the Badger defense.

This game could either be won or lost at the point of attack.

The Defensive Lines

Michigan State's run defense has been very good all season. In their first meeting, the Badgers barely cleared 200 yards on the ground.

Jerel Worthy and William Gholston must control the trenches against the enormous Badger line. If they can, they will be able to penetrate the Badger backfield and wreak havoc on Russell Wilson's timing.

Step one to defeating the Badgers is slowing down their run game. It is very hard to stop, but if you can contain the Badgers' ground attack, you stand a chance.

The Badgers must find a way to pressure Kirk Cousins. The first time around, Cousins tossed three touchdowns and had 290 yards passing.

If that happens again, the Badgers could walk away disappointed.

The Linebackers

Denicos Allen has emerged as a great pass rusher on the Spartan defense.

He will need to continue at that level against the Badgers in Indianapolis. Chris Norman and freshman Marcus Rush must also exploit any holes in the Badger offense.

The Spartans will need their linebackers to make plays. Their front four will be occupied by the Badger hogs up front, leaving Allen, Norman and Co. to roam the field and bring down the Badgers' skill players.

Mike Taylor and Chris Borland lead the Badger attack on defense.

Taylor is the leading tackler in the Big Ten, and Borland just happens to be No. 2.

Both are ball-hawking playmakers for the Badgers. Their ability to make plays from sideline to sideline could neutralize the Spartan run game.

If the Spartan offense becomes one dimensional, it will make Kirk Cousins' job much more difficult.

The Secondaries

Antonio Fenelus and Marcus Cromartie give the Badgers two playmakers on the perimeter of their defense.

These two will draw the responsibility of locking down the top Spartan targets. Their ability to lock down B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin will determine Kirk Cousins' timing in the pocket.

If neither are available, Cousins does not have a great third option and will be forced to sit in the pocket longer than he would like.

Johnny Adams is the Spartans' star in the secondary. Despite his smaller stature, he has great ball skills and strength.

Adams can also play in the box. He has 40-plus tackles to go with three sacks.

Trenton Robinson gives the Spartans a solid presence at safety. He has 58 tackles and four interceptions on the year.

Both secondaries have big responsibilities in this game, and forcing turnovers will go a long way toward hoisting the Big Ten hardware.

The Kickers

Philip Welch and Kyle French split placekicking duties for the Badgers.

Welch has made four of his five attempts, while French has made three of his five field goal tries. Welch's long is 52 yards. His big leg could be needed in a close game.

Dan Conroy is the Spartan kicker. His is 14 for 19 on the season. Two of his five misses are from inside 29 yards. His longest field goal of the season is 50 yards.

Kicking is neither teams' strong suit. In a game of this magnitude, someone will need to rise to the occasion.

Conclusion and Prediction

The Badgers remember their late-game meltdown in East Lansing the last time these two teams met, so don't expect them to let Michigan State off the hook the second time around.

On paper, Wisconsin is more talented on offense.

Kirk Cousins is solid, but the Badgers have better balance. Their passing attack is more dangerous than ever with Russell Wilson behind center. Nick Toon is a legitimate No. 1 target as well.

The Badger ground game is among the most-feared aspects of any offense in the nation. Montee Ball provides the thunder, and James White is a very dangerous lightning back.

Defensively, the Badgers must pressure Cousins. If they can't, they could be left with a familiar feeling. B.J. Cunningham is an underrated target, and Cousins will find him if given time to do so.

In the end, the Badgers will get the job done. Ball will have a big game as he pushes for a Heisman Trophy, and Russell Wilson will prove to Badger fans that he can win when it counts the most.

A narrow victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Final score: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 24.