Wisconsin vs. Michigan State: 4 Reasons the Badgers Will Be Big Ten Champs

This week's Big Ten Championship game is one of the most anticipated games of Week 14. Not only will it decide the champion of the conference and lock up a berth in the Rose Bowl, but it's also a rematch of one of the most memorable games of the year.

Regardless of the outcome, it's sure to be a great game and one of the best conference championship games this season. Somebody has to lose, however, and it won't be the team in red.

Here are a few reasons why the Wisconsin Badgers will beat the Michigan State Spartans and become Big Ten Champions. 

Better Offense

The Badgers have one of the most balanced offenses in the country, averaging over 470 total yards and ranking 12th in the country. The running game averages nearly 250 yards alone, good enough for the 10th-best rushing attack.

The Badgers have a mobile quarterback in Russell Wilson, as well as a No.1 receiver in Nick Toon, with over 2,000 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.

Michigan State's quarterback, Kirk Cousins, is solid at the position but doesn't have nearly the same amount of weapons that the Badgers have.

This Wisconsin offense can put up points in a hurry, and I'm not sure that the Spartans have the firepower to be able to respond.

Montee Ball

Michigan State has the best rush defense in the Big Ten, only giving up 102 yards on the ground—but that doesn't mean they'll be able to stop running back Montee Ball.

In their game against the Spartans earlier this season, Ball only touched the ball 18 times and ran for 115 yards, which is 6.4 yards per touch. As a team, the Badgers ran for 220 yards and averaged over five yards per carry.

In the last four games alone, he has run for a ridiculous 769 yards and has 13 total touchdowns. Those numbers are insane in a four-game span.

Michigan State's front seven may be one of the best in the country, but Montee Ball may not get the memo.

Spartans' One-Dimensional Offense

Compared to the Badger offense, Michigan State has a one-dimensional offense. Like Wisconsin, they like to hand the ball off, but aren't nearly as effective. In fact, their running game is the worst in the Big Ten, averaging only 139 yards on the ground.

That puts more pressure on Kirk Cousins to make more plays in the air, and that's asking a lot when considering that the Badgers' secondary is the best in the Big Ten. They only give up 144 yards in the air and have 14 interceptions.

If the Spartans can't find a balance on offense in this game, it may be a long day for Michigan State fans.

Revenge Factor

We all remember how the game ended when these two teams met earlier in the season. Do you really think Wisconsin forgot about that?

The loss has haunted them for the last month-and-a-half, and is the reason that every player has trouble sleeping at night. Wisconsin is going to do everything in their power to get that bad taste out of their mouth.

There would be no sweeter revenge than winning the Big Ten and reaching a BCS bowl game.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]