Star running back Cam Edwards is out for the season with a knee injury, gutting Michigan State’s already struggling offense as they head into a critical matchup this Saturday against Wisconsin. This is a massive blow for a team that’s already limping at 2-2, coming off two straight losses where their offense just could not get anything going.
The Badgers’ Big Test After The Comeback Hype
Wisconsin, at 3-1, is riding high after a thrilling comeback against Penn State, clawing back from 17 points down to snag a win. Colton Joseph and the Badger offense pulled off some serious heroics there, but let’s be real, their other wins against Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan don’t exactly inspire confidence. Now, they have to prove that Penn State wasn’t a fluke. The Pat Fitzgerald era could get a massive boost with a win here, showing they really are “that good.” The Badgers still haven’t consistently found their ground attack, but Joseph’s passing game has started to generate enough big moments to make up for it. They’re going to need more of that against a plucky Michigan State squad.
Spartans’ Offense Is An Absolute Mess Right Now
With Edwards sidelined, Michigan State’s offense looks like it’s in even deeper trouble. They’ve been a turnover machine, giving the ball away five times in their last two games against Notre Dame and Nebraska, both ending in three-score losses. The offensive line has been completely invisible, averaging a pathetic 1.4 yards per carry against those teams. Forget a downfield passing game; they haven’t been able to establish anything through the air. The only real bright spot for the Spartans? They’re among the best in the country for fewest penalties. If they can somehow stop the giveaways, they’re tough enough to hang around, but that’s a huge “if” when you’re without your star back and your line can’t get a push.
So, is Wisconsin really good at college football now? The buzz is they’re getting better. They’ve got enough offense and a solid defense to make some noise. Michigan State’s defense is probably good enough to keep this from turning into a total blowout. But the difference is going to be turnovers. Even if they’re “relatively even,” the Spartans have hit a wall late in their last two games, and the prediction has them doing it again, with Wisconsin pulling out a 26-16 victory. After this game, Michigan State gets two home dates in East Lansing against Illinois and Northwestern, which they desperately need to capitalize on. Wisconsin faces a brutal gauntlet after a week off, heading to UCLA, then hosting USC, and traveling to Iowa. This game against MSU is crucial for setting the tone for their tough stretch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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