Last year was the first time that the Big Ten Championship Game was played in Detroit, and it featured the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers. That being said, October 27th is going to be the first time that these two teams end up sharing the field together, and it might be a game with the same level of importance. Depending upon how the rest of the Big Ten schedule goes, this third meeting between these squads in the last 12 months might be the first of two meetings this year. The two could very reasonably meet again in the Big Ten Championship Game, but it is going to take a lot of work for both squads. This is a great matchup for our NCAA football picks, and it is deservingly the No. 16 game on our countdown on the Top 25 games in 2012.

Michigan State Spartans @ Wisconsin Badgers Picks & Info
Michigan State Spartans @ Wisconsin Badgers Date: Saturday, October 27th
Michigan State Spartans @ Wisconsin Badgers Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Michigan State Spartans @ Wisconsin Badgers Spread: Wisconsin Badgers -5

This is going to be the biggest test in the Big Ten season for QB Andrew Maxwell. We have already spoken about Maxwell as the new thing in East Lansing, and he and a very new crop of receivers will now have a bunch of games under their belts before having to go to Camp Randall. Maxwell knows that he is going to have to use his arms and his legs to be able to beat the Badgers, who always have one of the best and most ferocious defenses in the Big Ten, and in the country as a whole. Sparty is going to be counting on its defense as well, knowing that this unit returns so many big time starters like DE William Gholston, who might be one of the best pass rushers in the land. Against what could be a very raw Wisconsin passing attack, Gholston might really be able to be the difference maker.

Michigan State Spartans vs. Wisconsin Badgers Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Wisconsin 42 – Michigan State 39 (Big Ten Championship Game)
2011: Michigan State 37 – Wisconsin 31
2010: Michigan State 34 – Wisconsin 24
2009: Wisconsin 38 – Michigan State 30
2008: Michigan State 25 – Wisconsin 24
2007: Wisconsin 37 – Michigan State 34
2004: Michigan State 49 – Wisconsin 14
2003: Wisconsin 56 – Michigan State 21
2002: Wisconsin 42 – Michigan State 24
2001: Michigan State 42 – Wisconsin 28
2000: Wisconsin 17 – Michigan State 10
1999: Wisconsin 40 – Michigan State 10
1996: Michigan State 30 – Wisconsin 13
1995: Wisconsin 45 – Michigan State 14

Wisconsin won the first Big Ten Championship Game last year, and it is making a habit out of making it to the Rose Bowl. Two straight appearances in the Rose Bowl is something that the Badgers have gotten used to, but they are going to be aspiring for even more this year. RB Montee Ball was a Heisman Trophy finalist last year, and he is going to be a huge back once again with three of his five offensive linemen returning. The difference is the passing game. QB Russell Wilson was a godsend last year for the program, but now, it is up to QB Joe Brennan to get the job done. Brennan might struggle early in the year, but the schedule is relatively easy to start. Hopefully that gives him the confidence that he is going to need to be able to hang in the pocket against the Michigan State pass rush.

Michigan State @ Wisconsin Free Picks^^: Last year, we saw Michigan State figure out how to win on the final play of the game against Wisconsin. The Badgers were the better team in that first game, and we think that they proved it the second time around in the Big Ten title game as well. Now could be the time that Wisconsin really shows that it is the better of these two teams once and for all. We just don’t see how the Spartans are going to be able to go on the road and win this one. The point spread should be at least seven in our eyes, so we are taking the Badgers.

^^Disclaimer: Our college football picks by our sports blog writers are independent of those from our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. All NCAA football odds and lines in our Top 25 are from the month of August, and those lines could and likely will change by the time the game kicks off.

You won’t want to miss our Michigan State @ Wisconsin picks when our expert college football handicappers have them posted on the week of 10/27/12.