Michigan seems to have returned to form as one of the top teams in the country with a 4-0 record to start the season and will now get an interesting test when they visit 1-2 Wisconsin on Saturday.
The game will be held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, and is scheduled for a noon kickoff televised by Fox.
Michigan Overview
During their first three games of the season, Michigan played like the powerhouse team that everyone has wanted them to be for the past decade.
However, heading into last week as a heavy favorite versus Rutgers, they faced some struggles but still came away with a victory.
Michigan will be tested once again, as they have not won a game in Madison since 2001, making it two decades since their last victory on the road versus Wisconsin.
Michigan is led on offense by Cade McNamara and potential top RB in the country through 4 weeks Blake Corum. This offensive unit has still yet to cough up a turnover on the season.
However, their defense hasn’t helped too much in the turnover department, forcing no fumbles and only securing one interception. They do, however, have great success as a red zone defense and overall as a defense, which should lead this game to be fairly low scoring against a tough Wisconsin defense.
Wisconsin Overview
Michigan struggled last week, and that will be something that Graham Mertz and Wisconsin must take advantage of to win this game.
Mertz has faced loads of criticism this year, and much of it is warranted as he has thrown six interceptions to only one touchdown pass through their three games this season.
Wisconsin will try to rely on their run game and defense as much as possible.
Luckily for them, their run defense is just what they need to stop this Michigan team. They are holding teams to just one yard per carry, a perfect recipe to stop Blake Corum.
Their late-game defense will need to improve after giving up 31 points to Notre Dame in the fourth quarter of last week’s game.
Prediction
As of Tuesday, the Badgers actually head into this matchup as the favorite by 2.5 points despite their 1-2 record and the ranking of #14 for the Michigan Wolverines.
Vegas is assuming that Michigan will once again have trouble in Madison and falter to the point of their first loss of the season.
I disagree.
While Wisconsin has shown a strong ability to stop the run, I think this much improved offensive line of Michigan and the running of Blake Corum will burst through for a few deciding plays in this close matchup.
Graham Mertz will be tested by a strong defense once again, and he has not shown me any reason to bet on Wisconsin in potential close games.
I like Michigan to win outright.
Final Pick: Michigan ML (+110)
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