Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State Football: 5 storylines to follow vs. Wisconsin

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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What are the top five storylines to follow during Michigan State football’s Week 4 game against Wisconsin?

Don’t be thrown off by the fact that it’s a noon game or that it’s not on national television, Michigan State football’s Week 4 battle with the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers is one of the top games of the season thus far.

Big Ten play is finally underway and there’s reason to be excited for the Spartans’ chances in the East Division. Winning at No. 18 Notre Dame in Week 3 was a huge confidence-booster for this team, especially as the Spartans made it look relatively easy.

Michigan State has the talent necessary to take a nice early lead on the Badgers and not look back, but it all depends on play-calling and the ability to stay consistent — a problem that nearly cost this team against the Fighting Irish.

Take a look at the five storylines we should be following for Saturday afternoon’s contest.

5. Consistent defensive pressure?

The blitzes were dialed up early and often against Notre Dame, forcing DeShone Kizer out of the pocket, but with no running room. He was uncomfortable through the first three quarters, but the Spartans mounted a 36-7 lead and backed off big time.

Blitzes stopped and Michigan State allowed Notre Dame to get back in it, scoring 21 straight points and making it a game again. Not only that, but the secondary went from press coverage to a slight prevent, allowing passes in the 10-15 yard buffer zone with ease.

That needs to change this week if the Spartans are going to record a nice home victory against the Badgers. Can’t be scared to dial up the pressure all game long against an inexperienced quarterback.

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) during the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Secondary success against Alex Hornibrook?

Alex Hornibrook is getting his first career start on Saturday. That’s great news and bad news at the same time for the young quarterback as he’s forced to play one of the top defenses in the conference. When Michigan State keeps pressure on opposing quarterbacks, more often than not they struggle.

Wisconsin struggled for the better part of three and a half quarters against Georgia State last Saturday. Bart Houston got the start for the Badgers and he failed to give them a big lead, so Hornibrook came in and put them on top, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just over seven minutes left.

The freshman quarterback was impressive, passing for 122 yards and a touchdown with an interception on 8-of-12 completions. On the year, he’s 13-of-17 for 183 yards and two scores, but he has yet to play a team like Michigan State.

Hornibrook has played against Akron and Georgia State, so this is going to be a real eye-opener for the young gunslinger. Add in the fact that the Spartans won’t have to worry about him running and Michigan State’s secondary could have a field day.

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

3. LJ Scott vs. elite run defense

Wisconsin, like Michigan State, has one of the top run defenses in the country. The Badgers rank 19th against the run, allowing just over 82 yards per game on the ground, 3.3 yards per carry and just one touchdown through three games. That’s a solid number considering they’ve already faced Leonard Fournette.

This is the first time this season that Michigan State has faced an elite run defense and that might make this a tough task for LJ Scott. Heck, all three running backs might have a tough time against the Badgers.

Notre Dame ranks 102nd in the country against the run after losing to Texas and MSU to start the year, so the Spartans 250-plus yards on the ground last week were somewhat expected. However, the offensive line surprised some people by the way it controlled the line of scrimmage.

Wisconsin allows 138 yards on 6.0 yards per touch to Fournette in Week 1, so there’s a chance Scott could have the same type of success. The Badgers have been lightly-tested since, but giving up just 109 rushing yards in two games is still impressive.

How will Scott perform against a tough defense such as this one? Heck, he plays against a physical D like this in practice on a daily basis.

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Donnie Corley (9) celebrates after MSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 36-28 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

2. Donnie Corley following up career game

Being able to follow up a career game with an even better or more impressive showing might be tough to do for a true freshman, but Donnie Corley is just that good. The first-year wide out from Detroit King showed off against Notre Dame in South Bend, making his childhood dreams come true.

Heck, any time a young kid makes a catch like Corley did in the end zone against a top-ranked team with a ton of tradition like Notre Dame on the road, it has to give him goosebumps just thinking about it moving forward.

Down the line, when Donnie has kids and a family, he’s going to be able to tell the story of how he caught his first touchdown. How Tyler O’Connor’s pass was lobbed into the corner of the end zone as a jump ball and Corley snatched it from the defender’s hands for a big score.

Donnie finished with four catches for 88 yards and that touchdown and he now has six receptions for 105 yards and a score in two career games. He’s the only freshman wide out getting playing time and he’s capitalizing.

How will he follow up his best career game in Week 4?

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leaves the field after MSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 36-28 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

1. Another instant classic brewing?

Facing off against Wisconsin has brought a handful of great games over the past decade. This rivalry has seemingly taken off since the 2004 season, and maybe even before, but that’s when Michigan State and Wisconsin started playing in instant classics.Will this be another one?

Must Read: MSU Football: 10 bold predictions for 2016 season

Let’s just take a look back at the recent history between the two budding rivals. Back in 2008, Brett Swenson kicked a game-winning field goal over the Badgers at Spartan Stadium with a few ticks left on the clock to win, 25-24.

A few years later, Kirk Cousins tossed a Hail Mary pass to the end zone as time expired and overtime looked likely. The ball bounded off BJ Cunningham’s facemask and into he hands of a perfectly-placed Keith Nichol. The senior receiver fought for position and crossed the goal-line for the win.

Later that season, the two teams met in the Big Ten Championship and the Badgers came out on top thanks to a running into the punter call in the fourth quarter which negated a return touchdown.

The next year, Michigan State went into Madison with first-year starter Andrew Maxwell and earned an overtime win.

This one could be the next great contest in the series rivalry — they haven’t met since that overtime game in 2012.