It's do or die time in East Lansing, Mich., this Saturday, for both the Spartans and the Badgers. Michigan State (1-2 Big Ten, 3-4 overall) and Wisconsin (0-3 Big Ten, 5-3 overall) each face a must win to try and salvage disappointing seasons.
Michigan State was a preseason favorite to contend for the Big Ten title and Wisconsin showed potential with a fast start out of the gate. But both have faltered in statement games, dropping to the cellar of the Big Ten.
For Wisconsin, they can only hope to repeat the offensive success they had last year versus Michigan State. Senior wide receiver Lee Evans had a huge day, but there will be no Evans this year.
However, junior wide receiver Charles Rogers will be present for Michigan State. One of the Badgers' main goals will be to prevent Rogers from having an impact like he did last year at Camp Randall: five catches for 206 yards and two scores.
\Everybody knows about Rogers. We saw him put a show on here a year ago,"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said.
""Charlie Rogers has tremendous speed, big receiver, great hands and [junior quarterback Jeff] Smoker knows how to get it to him,"" defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said.
The key to defending Michigan State does not solely rest on shutting down Rogers. The Badgers must build on the success of last week, getting pressure on the quarterback and limiting the ground game, two things the Badgers did not do in their last meeting with Michigan State.
""This year our defense is much better. We are faster and more dominant. If we get a lot of pressure on the quarterback then he can't throw the ball to him [Rogers]. So it all starts with the defensive line,"" junior defensive end Erasmus James said.
""We can't let them run the football. If you let them run the football then it opens up the pass game. We have got to make sure that we stop them from running the football and try to force them into a throwing game and cover them,"" Cosgrove said. ""If you try to defend him [Rogers] too much you are going to open up something else.""
In a perfect world, the defense will pitch a shut out and the offense will light up the scoreboard like last year, but football isn't that simple. The offense was effective last week against a tough Ohio State defense. Sophomore running back Anthony Davis rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, and freshman wide receiver Jonathan Orr had four catches for 107 yards and a score. The Badgers must look to build on that offensive consistency against a suspect Michigan State defense if they are to emerge from East Lansing victorious.
""Last week against Ohio State we played like ourselves. We were crisp, we were sharp, we were running the ball and throwing the ball [well],"" junior quarterback Jim Sorgi said.
""We feel we have to establish a run [game] first. We have got to be able to pound the ball in there. [Then] when they blitz and come with their safeties we fell like we can throw the ball."" said Sorgi.
This game also provides some excitement for both Sorgi and Orr as both return to their home states.
""Wherever you are from, if you are going to play a home team from[there] you want to play well, it's a homecoming. It's a game where all your family and all your friends are going to be there,"" Sorgi said. Hopefully, the players all play like it's a return home.
