Wisconsin vs. Michigan State: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time & More

There is no better way to usher in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game than with a rematch of one of the best regular-season games between the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan State Spartans.

The Badgers are two Hail Marys at the buzzer away from possibly being in the BCS championship picture. They will have to settle for playing in the first Big Ten title game and a shot to get to the Rose Bowl for the second straight season.

The Spartans have been on a roll since losing to Nebraska, albeit against inferior competition. They have a chance to prove that their victory over Wisconsin earlier this season was not a fluke. Their last trip to the Rose Bowl was in 1988.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

When: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8:17 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Listen: ESPN Radio 1070 (Wisconsin); WXYT 97.1 FM, 1270 AM (Michigan State)

Betting Line: Wisconsin (-10)

Wisconsin Injury Report

Questionable: WR Fred Willis (Ankle), OL Dallas Lewallen (Knee), OL Peter Konz (Leg)

Doubtful: LB Ethan Armstrong (Leg)

Out: OL Casey Dehn (Personal), DL David Gilbert (Foot), DB Devin Smith (Ankle), QB Jon Budmayr (Elbow), WR Chase Hammond (Ankle)

Michigan State Injury Report

Questionable: S Kurtis Drummond (Concussion), CB Darqueze Dennard (Concussion), WR Bennie Fowler (Foot)

Out: DT Jonathan Strayhorn (Knee), T Skyler Burkland (Ankle), NT Antonio Jeremiah (Knee), G Zach Heuter (Shoulder)

BCS/Top 25 Implications

These two teams met in an epic clash back in October that saw Michigan State come out on top thanks to a Hail Mary with no time left. As soon as the game was over, fans and analysts were salivating at the possibility of a rematch to determine the Big Ten champion.

Ask and ye shall receive, because here we are just over a month later and these two teams have everything at stake.

The Spartans have had to endure being the second string in their own state for so long that getting to the Rose Bowl would, in a lot of ways, validate everything that Mark Dantonio has been building for the last four years.

The Badgers have been the best team in the Big Ten for the last two years, and a second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance will send a message to Ohio State and the rest of the conference that they aren’t going anywhere.

What They Are Saying

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson only had one year to make an impression at the school, and he has been far better than anyone could have anticipated. 

Wilson said in an interview earlier this week that he is in a position that he had hoped to be when he transferred to Wisconsin for his senior season. 

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“Every season you start off you want to end up No. 1, obviously,” Wilson said Monday. “It all starts with winning your conference, and we have an opportunity to do that this weekend. That’s the way we look at things right now. I love the game of football. Win, lose or draw at any point, I love the game, and that’s what I play for.”

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Wisconsin Player To Watch: QB Russell Wilson

Is there any good reason that Wilson isn’t talked about for the Heisman Trophy more? He has been one of the best and most dominant players in the country all season, but no one seems to be paying attention to what he is doing.

He is completing 73 percent of his passes with a ridiculous 28-3 touchdown-interception ratio and nearly 2,700 yards.

Wilson’s worst game of the season came against the Spartans when he threw two of those three interceptions, so you know that he will be out for redemption in the biggest game of the season.

Michigan State Player To Watch: QB Kirk Cousins

Maybe there isn’t a lot of spice in selecting both quarterbacks to be the players to watch, but that is how important they are to their respective teams.

Cousins has always been more of an efficient, safe player than one that you ask to go out and win a game, but he has proven that he is capable of putting up big numbers when he is asked to.

In the Oct. 22 game against the Badgers, Cousins threw for 290 yards with three touchdowns, so he knows how to attack their defense and put his team in the best position to win.

Key Matchup: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins vs. Wisconsin Secondary

Wisconsin is one of the most balanced teams in the country. The offense ranks fourth in the country in points scored (44.8) and the defense ranks fourth in points allowed (15.2), but the Spartans were able to exploit them earlier this season.

The 37 points that Michigan State scored was the most that the Badgers defense allowed all season, and the biggest reason for that success was the play of Cousins. He is not intimidated by what they want to do and can take advantage of it if they underestimate his abilities.

Prediction

This is going to be another close game, but Wisconsin is better on paper and will find a way to win in the fourth quarter.

Wisconsin 35, Michigan State 24