1. Playing the spoiler
Although the Badgers are out of the Big Ten title hunt, a win this week could still change the landscape of the conference standings.
With two losses, Michigan State still has an outside chance at the Big Ten title, especially because Ohio State will face one-loss counterparts Purdue and Michigan in its remaining games.
A Spartan loss at Camp Randall this weekend, however, would effectively remove Michigan State from contention. Wisconsin has excelled in this position in the past: the Buckeyes' loss at Camp Randall in October is still the lone blemish on their record and it will likely keep them from playing for the national championship.
2. Smoking the secondary
Spartan senior quarterback Jeff Smoker has engineered an incredible comeback campaign this season. In addition to leading a rebuilding team to a 7-3 record, Smoker leads the Big Ten with 2,675 passing yards.
This revival comes only a year after his suspension for substance abuse, and was crafted without a premier receiving threat.
The Spartan rushing attack is less than imposing, and it will be up to Smoker to lead his team to victory. The senior shares the ball with everyone, and the Spartans have six players with 20 or more receptions.
Sophomore Brandon Williams showed promise at cornerback against Minnesota, but it will take a Herculean effort by the entire secondary to stop Smoker from shredding the Badgers.
3. Offensive fireworks
This summer, first-year Spartan Head Coach John L. Smith viewed this season as a rebuilding project of sorts, largely because of Michigan State's inconsistent defense. Although Smoker's resurgence has carried the Spartans past almost everyone's expectations, the defense has been as shaky as advertised against both the running and the passing attacks.
If Smoker puts Wisconsin behind early, however, it may be up to senior quarterback Jim Sorgi and his receiving corps to stop the Badgers' heartbreaking three-game slide. With the Badgers' recent rushing woes, the team finds itself in the unusual position of looking to the passing game to put points on the board. Fortunately for Wisconsin, Sorgi is coming off a positively stellar performance against the Gophers.
4. One thousand yards for Lee Evans
In addition, Sorgi has senior receiver and All-American Lee Evans around to help him out. With two games remaining, Evans has 46 catches for 828 yards.
Although a superior supporting receiving cast prevented Evans from reproducing his 75-catch, 1,545-yard season of 2001, there is no doubt the senior is back at full strength after missing all of 2002 with a knee injury.
With a big game, it is possible that Evans could eclipse 1,000 yards against Michigan State.
5. Going bowling
With six victories, Wisconsin is already bowl-eligible. However, the Badgers could improve their bowl fortunes with victories over Michigan State and Iowa, both of whom lead the Badgers in the conference standings.
At seventh in the Big Ten, the Badgers are currently projected to play in the Motor City Bowl, but a win against the Spartans could put them in position to play in the Music City or Sun Bowl. Conversely, if Northwestern passes Wisconsin in the standings, the Badgers could find themselves home for the holidays for the second time in three years.
