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kickoff is at noon on Fox. Michigan opens as 16.5 point home favorites, O/U is 41.5. Michigan and Wisconsin both coming off bye weeks.

not sure Michigan has the WR's to really hurt the Wisconsin weakness on defense- the secondary. Wisconsin meanwhile seems to have a pretty solid run defense. Bryce Underwood is still a baby growing up by the day. Game could be closer than anyone thinks- especially if Michigan is looking ahead to next weeks road trip to USC- which will be a huge game for both of those teams seasons.

Wisconsin's run defense may slow Michigan's running game down...a little. But the Badgers pass defense will get picked apart, again. Michigan will likely have 3-5 sustained drives for points. Somewhere in the 27-31-point range. But that's just when Michigan has to go the length of the field.

The Michigan defensive front will overwhelm the Badgers O-line from the jump. While the Badgers may come up with a big play here or there, to get 20-35 yards in one chunk, most of Wisconsin's offensive plays will play out in the Wisconsin backfield. I expect at least two turnovers--INTs or fumbles--forced by Michigan's front 7, and I won't be surprised if it's 3+. And Michigan will have plenty of opportunities playing with the ball on a short field. If the Badgers get 150 total yards in offense (before the game is decided), I will be surprised. Both of the Badgers touchdown drives against P4-conference competition came in garbage time. I expect the same here. Michigan will likely finish in the 30s to low 40s; the Badgers will score less than 14, and some of that will likely come in garbage time.

If you like watching teams get their teeth kicked in, watch Wisconsin for the next month.

If you like watching teams get their teeth kicked in, watch Wisconsin for the next month.

[img width=500 height=150.992]https://i.imgur.com/F36kKDg.png[/img]

ouch.. Now that's a tough schedule. At least it's not at Iowa. The only thing worse might have been October 11th taking them to Happy Valley. 

Idk I tend to think the game might be closer than the 16.5 point spread. Michigan might be the team in the B1G with highest variability in terms of season outcome- and that offense while a massive improvement over last years- is still a work in progress and the passing game still leaves a lot to be desired. Still iffy about the offense- but feel great about where the defense is heading.

On defense the secondary has been the weak link unit- it has been pretty banged up and playing 4 freshman (3 true, 1 RS) in major minutes at CB. True frosh CB Jayden Sanders has been starting at outside CB and has looked the best of that young lot and could actually win a permanent starting role if he keeps progressing at the rate he's been playing however. Starting CB Zeke Berry should be returning this week from injury so that helps- but Sanders has been playing so well Berry could wind up shifting down to nickel where he's probably a more natural fit. Rod Moore came back at free safety last week vs Nebraska and was on a pitch count only playing 21 snaps. He'll be getting more this week vs Wisconsin and the sooner he's back in the starting lineup the better as he'll make the secondary take a nice little leap forward. Having said all that, RS Soph. CB Jyaire Hill has to pick up his play for the defense to really take off. He's been a major disappointment through 4 games this season and he has to clean up his play for the defense to really take off.

Front 7 meanwhile looks gnarly with both Derrick Moore and TJ Guy rounding back into form coming back from injuries and getting healthier at EDGE and with the move of Jaishawn Barham to EDGE and RS Frosh LB'er Cole Sullivan into a starting inside LB'er role. That move of Barham to EDGE and Sullivan to starting ILB changes the entire dynamic of the defense. Both those guys are big-time talents.

That defense has yet to hit it's stride yet- and when it does it'll be gnarly.

Offense still has lot of room for improvement as Bryce Underwood gets more experience and grows every game. OL is also getting healthier with starting LG Gio El-Hadi getting closer to a return and RG Brady Norton almost back from injury. OL has looked like it's clicking and starting to gel, especially with Sherrone Moore spending basically all of his time the last 2 weeks with the OL unit trying to whip them into shape. WR's/passing game still a work in progress. Semaj Morgan and Channing Goodwin have been major disappointments. They have to produce this week vs Wisconsin or it's probably time they hit the bench and the coaches let other young players on the roster get a shot.

I honestly think the strength of Badger defense aligns perfectly against this M team. That being said, I think the Michigan defense is going to completely overwhelm the Badger offense on a way to victory, but I can see the Badger defense putting up a good fight, slowing down the run game and showing that Michigan's passing game is still lacking a lot. I agree with MDot as I think this will be a closer game than many expect unless the M defense has a few big turnovers.

michigan 24
Wisconsin 10