EAST LANSING — Michigan State travels to Madison for the first time since 2012 as the Spartans prepare to take on Wisconsin this coming Saturday (the first time MSU will play back-to-back road games against AP Top 10 teams since 1990).

Michigan State enters the contest 4-2 (2-1 B1G), having just lost to Ohio State, 34-10, on the road last weekend, while the Badgers come into this one 5-0 for the second time in the past three seasons with a 48-0 shutout over Kent State.

“Games have always been physical,” said Dantonio. “I expect the same thing to happen, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Paul Chryst and what he’s been able to accomplish up there.”

Saturday’s game will be the 54th meeting between MSU and Wisconsin and the first game since 2016 in East Lansing. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 30-23, including a 14-13 advantage in Madison.

Before the Badgers blowout victory in 2016, the previous seven games were decided by a total of 34 points. These teams always play each other close.

“That’s what you’re trying to do every single game,” said Dantonio. “We haven’t played a complete game yet.”

Depth Chart Notes

• No changes from last week.
• Dantonio says the Wisconsin running game comes at you with a lot of “different groupings.”
• Dantonio didn’t take credit away from OSU, but says the Spartans have things to clean up and could have done different things to prevent big play opportunities. He cites tackling and wrapping up, instead of trying to punch the ball out.
• Dantonio praises the tight ends saying they’ve been playing very well. He points to Gillison’s progression, but thinks he needs more game experience.
• Dantonio is sticking with Coghlin: “I’m gonna remain confident in him until somebody else takes over that position.”
• Dantonio says Iowa and Wisconsin were teams he wanted to emulate when arriving at MSU because of their toughness.

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports