Flashback Friday: The last time Wisconsin faced Nick Saban

When Wisconsin meets No. 3 Alabama on Saturday, it will mark the first time Wisconsin has played against a Nick Saban coached team since 1999 when the Badgers feasted on Michigan State mistakes to blow out Saban's Spartans 40-10.

It was October 23, 1999, and No. 11 Michigan State came into Camp Randall Stadium a hungry bunch. The Spartans had started 6-0, but were beaten soundly by Drew Brees and Purdue the prior week in West Lafayette 52-28. They had the nation's best rushing defense, allowing just 1.3 yards per carry. The Spartans also had one of the best receivers in college football, Plaxico Burress, who would end up being a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft.

On the other side, Wisconsin came into the season with high expectations. But after rolling over Murray State and Ball State by a combined score of 99-20, Wisconsin was upset by lowly Cincinnati and lost a home date to Michigan in consecutive weeks. After four weeks, Wisconsin was unranked and sitting at 2-2. But there was hope for Wisconsin as freshman Brooks Bollinger, taking over for the injured Scott Kavanagh nearly rallied the Badgers to beat Michigan. The following week, Wisconsin trailed No. 12 Ohio State 17-0 in Columbus before the Badgers scored 42 consecutive points to blast the Buckeyes 42-17 and turn their season around. That win started a nine game winning streak to end the season, including three out of the first four being against ranked opponents. The last of those three games against ranked foes was against the Spartans.

Trying to solve Michigan State's vaunted run defense would be Ron Dayne, who started out a front runner for the Heisman, but after a crucial fumble in the end zone against Cincinnati and disappearing in the second half against Michigan, Dayne's Heisman hopes were fading fast. He rebounded with great games against Ohio State and Indiana before the showdown with the No. 1 rush defense.

Star cornerback Jamar Fletcher had his own issue to worry about: how to slow down Burress. Two weeks prior, Burress had a school-record 255 yards receiving in their 34-31 victory over rival No. 3 Michigan.

Both key matchups were won by Wisconsin in a big way. A big, big way. On Wisconsin's second play from scrimmage, Dayne rumbled for 18 yards, the longest run Michigan State had allowed all season. Two plays after that, Dayne broke loose for a 51 yard touchdown to give the Badgers a 7-0 lead and set the tone for the game. The Great Dayne ended up rushing for 214 yards on 34 carries and added two scores en route to breaking Archie Griffin's Big Ten record for most career rushing yards. As a team, Wisconsin rushed for 301 yards.

While Dayne was running roughshod over Michigan State's defense, Fletcher was locking up the Spartans' All-American wide receiver. Earlier in the week, Fletcher asked to guard Burress. He did not disappoint as Burress only had five receptions for 58 yards and was a complete non-factor. Fletcher also caught two passes of his own, both in Spartans territory setting the Badgers up to add to a big lead.

When the dust settled, Wisconsin rode Dayne to a big win over mistake-prone Michigan State 40-10. That win was the 66th for Barry Alvarez, which made him the all-time winningest coach in Wisconsin football history.

I doubt Wisconsin will have the sort of win tomorrow, but a "W" sure would be nice as the Badgers will play in perhaps their biggest regular season non-conference game ever.