Grading the Spartans' loss to Wisconsin

OFFENSE: 2

MSU out-gained Wisconsin 325 to 317. It didn’t feel that way. Quarterback Tyler O’Connor completed 18 of 38 throws, missing on a number of targets and reads. MSU’s passing game couldn’t make up for a ground game it knew might struggle against a heralded Wisconsin defensive front. MSU rushed for 75 yards, averaging 2.8 yards per attempt. The protection wasn’t consistent, either. The turnovers were crippling — three interceptions and an LJ Scott fumble returned for a score that turned the game more than any of O’Connor’s gaffes.

DEFENSE: 6

MSU’s defense was better than the final score. Only 10 of the Badgers’ points can be pinned on MSU’s D. The rest is at least partly the result of turnovers. The Spartans struggled on third downs, allowing seven conversions, several of them third-and-longs, but they had their offense in perfect position after a three-and-out stand to open the second half. From there, the offense and special teams fell apart around them.

• COUCH: MSU has issues to resolve - starting at QB - before it resurfaces
• VIDEO ANALYSIS: Couch, Solari, Sharp break down MSU's loss to Wisconsin

SPECIAL TEAMS: 5

The Spartans started out well. Michael Geiger connected on field-goal attempts of 48 and 40 yards, and Jake Hartbarger boomed punts of 52 and 57 yards. The mistakes, however, were just as notable — a kickoff out of bounds by Kevin Cronin, a decision to bring a kick return out of the end zone by Darrell Stewart Jr., and then a high punt snap that gave the ball back to Wisconsin at MSU’s 5-yard line.

COACHING: 4

Wisconsin was the sharper team most of the afternoon. The Badgers looked like the team with a chip on their shoulder. MSU played like a team that read a few too many press clippings after last week’s win at Notre Dame (a win that looks considerably less impressive after Notre Dame’s loss to Duke). The Spartans couldn’t rattle a Wisconsin QB making his first start and, offensively, weren’t innovative enough against a defense they should have known would make running the football difficult.

BOTTOM LINE: 7

MSU’s Big Ten title and playoff hopes aren’t over. But this MSU team, as it appeared Saturday, has no shot. The Spartans have to find a way to be explosive offensively against good teams and, defensively, get to the quarterback more often without sending the house. MSU is turning to true freshmen at receiver and defensive end to try to help make that happen. It begins, though, with the quarterback position and No. … 7

— Graham Couch