Michigan 31 Wisconsin (10)....17 - Post Game Thread

[JRB]

Make sure you have a pasteis de belem while you're in Lisbon, Jeff. They're really good.

[WM Wolverine]

Another vote on the under, don't see much scoring.

[iam416]

M grinds the Badgers to dust. I'll say HARBAUGH!!!! 27, Bucky 10.

[AlabamAlum]

It won’t be close. Michigan is a much better team.

[lineygoblue]

Want to know which team has the #1 rushing defense in the country?

Alabama? .... nope.

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Clemson?.... nope

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Georgia?.... nope

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Ohio State? .... nope.

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The answer is Wisconsin. They are statistically the top rated run defense in the entire NCAA.

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On this past Saturday, RUTGERS stopped Michigan's rushing attack COLD.

And some of you are predicting Michigan winning by multiple touchdowns?

Don't bogart me.

the steel guitar in that number is fantastic

[JRB]

Wisconsin is 1st in the nation in rush defense, 1st in fewest first downs allowed, 2nd in total defense, and 6th in third down defense. Michigan's steamroller strategy is not likely to work in this game.

Wisconsin's 1-2 for one reason: they're dead last in the nation in turnover margin. That's the key to this game, I think. Michigan won't win the turnover battle the way Notre Dame did, but if they can find some way to finish +1 or better, they'll give themselves a great chance. Michigan's the first team to go 4-0 without committing a turnover since 2017 Alabama. That streak doesn't figure to continue against a defense this good, but if Michigan can stay clean for one more game, Wisconsin hasn't shown yet that they can avoid giving the game away.

This game screams "ugly and low-scoring." Before the season started I picked Wisconsin to win this game convincingly. I'm less sure of the outcome now, but I'll stick with my preseason pick.

Wisconsin 13, Michigan 9.

[WM Wolverine]

M doesn't get enough pressure on defense to make good QB's look average and average QB's look terrible.

[froot loops]

This is a program game for Harbaugh.

[Mike]

That may be true. It's also sad since it is against an unranked opponent.

[WM Wolverine]

Badgers offense much worse than I expected, under looks really safe. They throw more passes less than 5 yards than even M.

[Whitley]

Yeah the game is in Madison but Wisky gives up the football like Oprah giving away cars. The question will be----can Michigan demonstrate a good passing game. If we get 1st half Michigan (vs. Rutgers) offense then this game might be a blowout.

[Jeff Buchanan]

The question will be----can Michigan demonstrate a good passing game. If we get 1st half Michigan (vs. Rutgers) offense then this game might be a blowout.

Not the problem. The problem is much bigger than that.

But this particular offensive issue (the lack of a coherent offensive strategy that sensibly blends power, PA, RPO, RO, Jet Sweep plays, etc) seems to be the one area where Jim Harbaugh has, so far, been unwilling to change. (Instead he clings to a run based offense that takes no advantage of available talent and the diversity in play calling those plays listed above provide). And as long as he remains unchanged, the struggles Michigan faces in the biggest games, the games Harbaugh has struggled to win, will remain.

My edits ..... if you read the entire article below those are explained in detail.

The main point in the linked article is that the common denominator in games M plays and squeeks by (e.g., Airforce in 2019, Rutgers in 2021 and dozens of others in his 7 year stint) is Jim Harbaugh. The multitude of different OC's, QB's OL's RBs and offensive position coaches we've oft blamed for what ails M's offense isn't the problem. It's Harbaugh.

https://mgoblog.com/diaries/rutgers-2021-plus-ca-change

[Cody_Russell]

That may be true. It's also sad since it is against an unranked opponent.

There’s something about playing in Madison though … it’s tough for the away team. Even if Wisconsin is mediocre or above average, winning at Wisconsin is difficult.

Think about playing at Iowa.
A 5-4 unranked Iowa team knocked off #3 ranked undefeated M in 2016. All of the other upsets that have happened at Iowa for example. Ohio State, Michigan St…
To me, it’s a reminder to never underestimate a hostile crowd in college football.

[lineygoblue]

Rutgers disrespected Michigan's offense so badly in the 2nd half that I saw several plays where they not only had 8 men within the tackle box/5 yards of the LOS, .. but they actually waited until McNamara started calling his signals, then walked up a 9th man. And did Michigan audible out of it? Nope. Ran right into the butts of the G and T. I'd think that would be the perfect time to call a play action audible to the TE. But what do I know?

Wisconsin is going to make this look like a Varsity team playing a pee-wee league team. Michigan will never be in the game. Wisconsin is going to establish control early, and beat the snot out of them. And their turnover problems will mysteriously vanish as well.

[THE_WIZARD_]

sandbaggus dipshittus extraordinairus