Michigan State heads into Saturday’s trip to Wisconsin needing a reset.
The Spartans are 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play, and they’ve dropped their last two games by three possessions apiece. On top of that, the availability/injury report has kept growing. Now comes the first real test of the Pat Fitzgerald era under pressure, with a Wisconsin team riding real momentum waiting in Madison.
Kickoff is set for 12:31 p.m. ET, which is 11:31 a.m. local time.
The game will be called by Jason Horowitz on play-by-play, with Jake Butt handling analysis and Brooke Fletcher on the sidelines.
On the radio side, Michigan State fans can find the game on Lansing’s WMMQ (94.9 FM) and WJIM (1240 AM), Detroit’s WJR (760 AM), and Grand Rapids’ WBFX (101.3 FM). Other stations around Michigan are listed as well. SiriusXM will carry the game on Channel 257, and the SiriusXM app will also have it on Channel 257.
George Blaha will handle play-by-play on the Spartan radio broadcast, with Jehuu Caulcrick as analyst, Tre Mosley on the sideline, and Dalton Shetler hosting.
Wisconsin comes in at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten after last week’s road upset of then-No. 13 Penn State. The Badgers erased a 17-point deficit and grabbed their first lead with 1:13 remaining, when tight end Jacob Harris finished a 72-yard touchdown play.
The offense came through late in that one, but Wisconsin’s defense appears to be the real strength of the team. Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano give the Badgers two strong linebackers, the defensive line has held up well, and cornerback Javan Robinson has stood out. Former longtime Spartan assistant Mike Tressel is Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator, and the defense was the unit that really swung the Penn State game.
One of the reasons Wisconsin fell behind by 17 was a pick-six from quarterback Colton Joseph, who also threw one in the season opener against Notre Dame. Joseph has given Wisconsin fans a mix of the spectacular and the frustrating, much like Aidan Chiles has for Michigan State fans.
Joseph already has five interceptions this season, including three last week. He’s also a major threat with his legs, similar to Chiles.
Last year at Old Dominion, he ran for just over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said this week he expects some designed quarterback runs.
Wisconsin’s top receiver is Tyrell Henry, another former Spartan. He has 24 catches for 307 yards and a touchdown.
In Other News...
Michigan State Just Made An Early Big Ten Statement At UCLA
Michigan State walked into Pauley Pavilion and left with the kind of conference win that can change the tone of a season. The Spartans handled UCLA in straight sets, controlling the match from start to finish and not allowing the Bruins much breathing room in any part of the night. It was their first conference road sweep since 2024, a reminder that this group is already showing some early Big Ten muscle.
The result pushed Michigan State to 12-1 overall and 2-1 in league play, while UCLA dropped to 10-4 and 1-2 in conference action. Alanna Bankston led the way with 15 kills, and Carmen Waye added eight kills with five blocks as the Spartans gave themselves an early statement on the road, with plenty of season still ahead to see how far that edge can carry them. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Suddenly Has Bigger Questions Than Just One Ugly Loss
A 31-3 loss to Wisconsin left Michigan State with more to sort through than just a bad Saturday afternoon. The offense never found traction, and the Cam Fancher package that had been part of the conversation did not provide the spark the Spartans needed, adding to the sense that this side of the ball may need a reset rather than a tweak. There is also a broader feeling that the staff may have to look harder at younger receivers and consider different play-calling ideas if it wants to get the unit moving again.
On the other side of the ball, Wisconsins run-heavy approach kept Michigan State on its heels and turned the game into a long, frustrating slog. That puts more attention on defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, whose group has to show it can handle exactly the kind of physical, methodical plan the Badgers used to control the afternoon. And with Cam Fancher leaving with a non-contact leg injury, the Spartans may soon have even fewer answers to work with as they try to regroup. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State's Third Straight Loss Raised Bigger Questions Than The Score
Michigan States third straight loss was ugly enough on the scoreboard, but the bigger issue coming out of the 31-3 setback to Wisconsin was how many familiar problems showed up again. The Spartans looked beaten up and short on answers, with injuries and adversity clearly shaping the day, and the concerns went well beyond one bad result. For a program trying to steady itself, the latest outing only deepened the sense that preparation and execution are slipping at both the offensive and defensive levels.
There were still a couple of bright spots tucked inside the mess, most notably interior defensive lineman Eli Coenen and center Trent Fraley, who were among the few players to come away with a strong grade. Even so, Michigan States margin for error has disappeared, and the coaching choices only added to the frustration as the offense stalled and the game management came under scrutiny. The final score told one story, but the questions left behind may be more damaging than the loss itself. [Read more 🡒]