Michigan State @ Wisconsin preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2011 ) Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 37

THE STORY: Wisconsin’s last two seasons have been interrupted by Kirk Cousins and Michigan State. The Badgers will be looking for some revenge when they face the Spartans in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on Saturday night. Wisconsin was up to No. 4 in the country when it visited Michigan State on Oct. 22, but left with its National Championship dreams dashed on a Hail Mary by Cousins as time expired. The 12th-ranked Badgers lost again the next week but recovered to win the Leaders Division last week by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker with Penn State. The ninth-ranked Spartans edged rival Michigan for the Legends Division, setting up a rematch in the Championship Game with a BCS Bowl berth on the line.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: Wisconsin -9

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten): Cousins and his fellow seniors are the winningest class in school history and have helped bring the program back among the nation’s elite under coach Mark Dantonio. The signature moment of Cousins’ career may have come in the Oct. 22 meeting with the Badgers, when he heaved a 44-yard touchdown pass to Keith Nichol as time expired. While Cousins and wide receiver B.J. Cunningham get most of the attention, Michigan State relies heavily on its defense, which is holding opponents to an average of 15.4 points.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (10-2, 6-2): The Badgers have lost the last two regular-season meetings with Michigan State, dooming their National Championship prospects in both seasons. But just like 2010, Wisconsin is coming to the finish line strong. Running back Montee Ball leads the nation in touchdowns and teams with quarterback Russell Wilson to help the Badgers to an average of 44.8 points - fourth best in the country. Wisconsin has won four straight and is coming off a 45-7 shellacking of Penn State in a must-win game last Saturday.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Ball was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and ranks second in NCAA history with 34 touchdowns this season. Barry Sanders holds the record with 39 in 1988.

2. Michigan State has won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.

3. The road team has won each of the last seven meetings between the schools. Of course, Saturday’s Championship Game is at a neutral field.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 28. The Badgers will get the early lead this time and use Ball to bleed the clock and avoid a comeback.