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Badger of Honor writers predict Wisconsin Football’s 2019 schedule

By Sam Land

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle during a timeout in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: The Wisconsin Badgers huddle during a timeout in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Week 6 vs Michigan State

Sam Land

Get ready for another low-scoring affair here.

The Spartans return eight starters from one the nation’s top defenses a year ago, including one of the Big Ten’s best players on that side of the ball in defensive end Kenny Willekes. Especially worrisome for the Badgers is Michigan State’s run defense, which allowed the least rushing yards per game in the conference. Simply put, I wouldn’t expect the Wisconsin offense to find much success in this one.

Luckily for the Badgers, it’s not as though the Spartans seem likely to blow anyone offensively either. They were extremely underwhelming for most of last season both on the ground and through the air, and though Mark Dantonio is returning his quarterback, leading rushers, and two of his top receivers, if they don’t significantly improve on their disappointing production from last season it doesn’t really matter.

Fall Camp Position Preview - Running Back. light. Also

Again, I really have high hopes for the Wisconsin defense this year, and I feel Jim Leonhard will hold the Spartans in check offensively. The x-factor here is the venue: if this game was being played in East Lansing I would go with Michigan State, but I’m giving Wisconsin the victory thanks to some home cooking.

Wisconsin 17 – Michigan State 14

Christian Borman

Back in the Big Ten schedule, Michigan State is always solid defensively. They ranked first in the entire country last season in rushing yards allowed with just 77.9 yards per game. The Spartans return Kenny Willekes, who led the team with eight sacks and linebacker Joe Bachie who led the team in tackles with 102. They did lose their arguable top cornerback in Justin Layne to the NFL. He had 15 passes defended and one interception. Even with the loss of Layne, expect this Spartan defense to be a stout unit once again.

The last time these two teams played was in 2016, where Wisconsin won 30-6 during a very down year for Michigan State. They finished just 3-9. Both of these teams look very different now. I think this should be a highly entertaining, but another low-scoring game. I think the home advantage will be huge in this matchup and Wisconsin pulls it off in another close game.

Wisconsin 24 –  Michigan State 21