Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football: Tale of the tape vs. Michigan State

By Christian Borman

MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for yards during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for yards during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Quarterbacks

COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin

Jack Coan has been better than expected this season. He had his best statistical game when the Badgers hosted Central Michigan in the second week of the season and has since come down to Earth a bit, but is still being efficient and taking care of the ball.

He has thrown for 939 yards, completing 74.6 percent of his passes. He has also thrown seven touchdown passes and just one interception.  His quarterback rating is 162.3 this season, good for 22nd in the country.

In addition to his passing, he has also been more mobile than many thought he would be. We all knew he was more mobile than Alex Hornibrook, but not this mobile. Coan has two rushing touchdowns on the season, including this 25-yard scamper against Michigan to go up 28-0 before halftime.

Coan has been everything and more than Wisconsin football fans could have hoped for. Many fans were clamoring for freshman Graham Mertz to get the start this season, but Coan has silenced those critics with his play and has been a positive factor for this offense rather than someone who just “manages” the game for the offense.

Michigan State

The Spartans are led by senior quarterback Brian Lewerke. Lewerke is Matt Miller’s number eight quarterback in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft in his Way Too Early 2020 Draft Big Board.

He’s had a lot of success statistically in the past, especially his sophomore year, throwing for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns. Last year he still threw for more than 2,000 yards, but struggled a little bit, throwing for just eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 11 games.

This year, he is getting it back on track. He has over 1,500 yards passing already and 11 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. That means he’s on pace to throw for more than 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in the regular season, both of which would be career-highs.

In an offense that gets a majority of its yards through the air, Lewerke has done a nice job this season. If the Spartans can get their running game going, this offense will be a lot more effective than it has been.

With his experience and overall skill set, I have to take Lewerke over Coan.

Advantage: Michigan State