Rarely does an undefeated team ranked No. 11 in the country make a quarterback change not necessitated by injury, but that's exactly what Wisconsin is doing this week for the Michigan State game.
Redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook will make his first career start on Saturday in East Lansing against the Spartans, taking over for fifth-year senior Bart Houston, who had started the first three games of the season. Houston struggled against Georgia State as the Badgers got a scare from the Panthers, but Hornibrook took over in the third quarter and led Wisconsin on its only two touchdown drives of the game.
Hornibrook completed 8-of-11 passes against Georgia State for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception in leading the Badgers to the victory. Now, he will face a much stiffer test in the Michigan State defense, which harassed and frustrated Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer last week in the Spartans win over the Irish.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said that while Hornibrook is now the starter, Houston will still get snaps this season, but did not say for certain whether both quarterbacks would play against Michigan State.
"I thought that when we were in fall camp, I told both quarterbacks that we've got to get them both ready to play and that they both would play," Chryst told the Big Ten Network. "Sure enough, both have played. I thought Alex did some really good things and helped us. I thought he earned the opportunity to get more snaps and to get the start.
"It really wasn't as much what Bart did or didn't do. I just thought Alex has earned the opportunity to get the start. Looking forward to seeing him play and know through this season -- heck, we don't even know how the game's going to turn out -- that Bart still will play and be significant to our team."
With Houston at the helm, the Badgers offense lacked explosiveness. Houston averaged only 7.4 yards per attempt, while Hornibrook gives them a bigger play dimension, averaging 10.8 yards per attempt in his two appearances this season. Against a very solid Michigan State defense, having the threat of the big play and being more dynamic as an offense is important.
