Game Prediction: No. 14 Michigan Wolverines at Wisconsin Badgers
Michigan and Wisconsin are two teams off to very different starts. The Badgers have already lost twice, but they don't appear to be as bad as their record would indicate. Michigan is 4-0 ... but after struggling to get past Rutgers last weekend and not really being challenged yet, I don't believe they are a threat in the Big Ten yet.
Here's what our staff is expecting on Saturday in Madison!
MICHIGAN at WISCONSIN – Saturday, 12:00 p.m.
Spread: Wisconsin (-2.0)
O/U Total: 43.5
Brendan Gulick: Michigan 21, Wisconsin 28
Give Michigan credit ... they look like a competent program this year and they have taken definitive steps forward. Before the year started, it looked like their game against Washington might be a great way to judge them. Then Washington lost to FCS program Montana in Week 1 and there went that idea. The Wolverines were frankly pretty lucky to win last weekend against an improved Rutgers team. But 4-0 is 4-0 and they're building confidence in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh's team has run the ball nicely so far.
I think this game is basically a pick 'em. Wisconsin is favored by two points because they're at home. There is rain in the forecast and Wisconsin's rush defense has been sensational. Really, their defense at-large has been good. Offensively though ... yikes. That fourth quarter last week was atrocious.
I don't see Wisconsin starting 1-3, just as much as I have a hard time thinking Michigan could really be 5-0. Certainly possible, but I'm going with the Badgers.
Andrew Lind: Michigan 10, Wisconsin 17
It’s difficult to judge this year’s Wolverines, as they’ve taken care of business against a lesser schedule like they’re supposed to, but then again, their offense stalled in the second half of last week’s win over Rutgers. If that carries over to Saturday’s game against the Badgers, they’ll walk away from their first road game of the season with their first loss.
On the other hand, Wisconsin’s offense has been a disaster, with quarterback Graham Mertz throwing six interceptions, including two pick-sixes in last week’s loss to Notre Dame. If he cuts down on those turnovers, perhaps he’ll start to resemble the quarterback that caught everyone’s attention in the 2020 season opener.
This game will ultimately come down to whether or not Michigan can move the ball against Wisconsin’s defense, which ranks fourth nationally. Expect a low-scoring game, with the Badgers finally able to get over the hump after falling apart late against Penn State and Notre Dame.
Game Prediction: No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Caleb Spinner: Michigan 35, Wisconsin 17
Wisconsin’s defense is going to have a tough time rebounding this week from their loss to Notre Dame last weekend, in which the Badgers allowed Notre Dame to score 31 points (75% of their total points) in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines more often than not score most of their points outside of the final quarter, a convenient statistic for the Badgers.
Michigan has been emerging as a contender for the Big Ten title this season, (currently leading the conference in total rushing yards), and I believe you’ll see more of that here. Wisconsin will put up some points, but not enough to best Michigan.
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