Wisconsin Badgers (3-3) vs. Michigan State Spartans (2-4)
Week 7 of the 2022 college football season brings the Big Ten Conference showdown from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, where the Michigan State Spartans welcome the Wisconsin Badgers. These two schools meet each other for the first time since 2019, and Wisconsin shoots for its third consecutive straight-up and ATS victory over Michigan State.
Wisconsin is listed as a 7-point road favorite. The Spartans are +180 moneyline underdogs, while the totals sit at 48.0 points.
After a couple of heavy losses at No. 3 Ohio State 52-21 and to Illinois 34-10, the Wisconsin Badgers (1-2 conf.) returned to the winning track in Week 6, hammering the Northwestern Wildcats 42-7 as 10-point road favorites. The Badgers outgained the Wildcats 515-342 in total yards and won the turnover battle 3-0 while building a 28-point lead by the end of the first half. In his first game at Wisconsin’s helm, Jim Leonhard saw his team dominates the game on both sides of the ball.
“There was a lot more nerves throughout the week than there was today,” the 39-year-old Leonhard said. “Gameday is gameday. I've been a part of a lot of these, obviously not in this role. This is the reward. You put in the work, you put in the time and you should have confidence whe n you step off that bus that you have the right plan, you have the right guys, you put them in position to have success.”
Jim Leonhard speaks with the media and gives a look at Michigan State.
Full press conference: https://t.co/m3nW1LEits pic.twitter.com/werbHS2Twt
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 10, 2022
Junior QB Graham Mertz had a field day in Week 6, completing 20 of his 29 passing attempts for 299 yards and five touchdowns. He’s tossed for 1,296 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions so far this season. Sophomore RB Braelon Allen posted 135 yards on 23 carries against Northwestern, while junior WR Chimere Dike added 185 yards and three touchdowns on ten receptions.
The Badgers are tallying 31.8 points per game (tied-53rd in the nation)) mostly thanks to the Week 6 thrashing of Northwestern and a 66-7 dismantling of New Mexico State in Week 3. Their offense ranks 77th in passing yards (235.5) and 52nd in rushing yards per game (1 73.7). The Badgers are yielding 19.5 points per contest (32nd) on 203.5 passing yards (41st) and 116.8 rushing yards (33rd).
Wisconsin has slight injury worries ahead of Week 7. Cornerback Cedrick Dort Jr. and nose tackle Keeanu Benton are questionable to play, while tight end Hayden Rucci is on the track to miss his second straight game.