Two of the Big Ten's best teams over the last seven years will face off Saturday. And their names aren't Ohio State or Michigan.
Yes, the Spartans and Badgers are two of the eight Power 5 teams that have won more than 73 games since 2009. Impressive, huh?
Wisconsin and Michigan State have met in several important games since then and this season's matchup will be no less intriguing.
MORE: Week 4 TV schedule | Week 4 bowl projections
Here's how you can watch Wisconsin-Michigan State, and the keys to victory for both teams.
Wisconsin at Michigan State
When: Saturday, Sept. 24, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich.
TV: BTN
Online: BTN2Go.com
Wisconsin-Michigan State all-time series
The Spartans hold a slight 30-22 advantage in the all-time series but a 16-7 advantage at home. The last time the Badgers won in East Lansing was 2002, but each of the last seven matchups have been decided by an average of 4.9 points. Notable games include both editions in 2011 — Michigan State used a 44-yard Hail Mary to win 47-41 in the regular season, but Wisconsin got revenge in the Big Ten title game, 42-39.
Numbers that matter
5 of 6
This may be hard to believe, but Wisconsin and Michigan State have combined to win the Big Ten five of the last six years (Ohio State won it in 2014). This game has title implications, too — the loser will be a game back in its division, a big gap considering the competition (Iowa and Nebraska in the West, Michigan and Ohio State in the East). Heck, we could even be seeing a Big Ten Championship game preview.
100, 107
Both teams have excellent run defenses: In seven of its last 10 games dating back to last season, Wisconsin has held opponents to less than 100 rushing yards per game and has won all seven. Conversely, Michigan State is giving up an average of 107 rushing yards since 2011. It'll be a battle for yards between LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes, and Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale. First one to 100 wins?
258.5
Under Dantonio, Michigan State QBs (Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins, Andrew Maxwell) have thrown for an average of 258.5 yards per game and two touchdowns against Wisconsin and have averaged 36 passing attempts per game. Tyler O'Connor has a little ways to go to develop into the kind of passing threat the Spartans have seen vs. the Badgers — he's averaging 215.5 yards per game but just 22 passing attempts per game.
Social buzz
Michigan State was viewed as second-tier to Ohio State and Michigan at the beginning of the season, but a big win over Notre Dame might have Buckeyes and Wolverines fans a little scared. If the Spartans make a statement against Wisconsin, their stock will soar and they'll deserve to be right back in the College Football Playoff conversation with their Big Ten East rivals.
The big question
Will Wisconsin survive its next five games? The Badgers' next five games might be the toughest of anyone in the country: at Michigan State, at Michigan, vs. Ohio State, at Iowa, vs. Nebraska. Wisconsin looked like the real deal in its upset over LSU but had to switch up quarterbacks in a six-point win over Georgia State. Can they pull it together, win a few of these tough games and stay in the Big Ten title conversation?
