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

[Mike]

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.

I agree with all that. A win there would be huge.

[lineygoblue]

sandbaggus dipshittus extraordinairus

Do you really want to hurt me?

[THE_WIZARD_]

In a word...yes.

[Obi-Jon]

Interesting comment from Shawn Nua, the D line coach. Explains one reason for the lack of production of defense against Rutgers 2nd half. All of a sudden, no one making the positional calls after Ross left the game.


“Yeah, it filters through the defensive line, the guys in the back even, even the linebackers. We’ve gotta do a good job of helping our guys communicate at all three levels. When Ross went out, our leader, it was like, oh shoot, he was the only one talking out there. Yeah, communication is a huge part of this game and we’re fixing that.”

[lineygoblue]

When Ross went out, our leader, it was like, oh shoot, he was the only one talking out there. Yeah, communication is a huge part of this game and we’re fixing that.”

Maybe another guy needs to be taught how to talk?

[WM Wolverine]

How hard will Harbaugh enforce his will to run the ball against the #1 rushing defense?

A. Till it works
B. Till it's obviously failed
C. Till the games been lost
Looking forward to mgoblogs previews and the game. Expecting a close and very low scoring game with embarrassing QB play, team that makes the most mistakes loses. Mertz makes mistakes when pressured, defensive line needs to force his hand and not allow 3-5 yd routes all the way down the field.

M 12, Bucky 9

[AlabamAlum]

I know everyone things it will be ultra low scoring. I think 28-21, M.

[Mike]

It will be C. Always C.

With no pressure on Mertz, he will revert back to his 5* billing. Be very careful buying into any hype surrounding Michigan football. They screw you every time.

[WM Wolverine]

Wisconsin in fancy stats coming up less impressive than I expected, ranked 41st in the power rankings I use. Mertz gifting a couple pick 6's a factor after the ND game was decided. Rutgers is 30th for comparison, they actually went up after losing to M.

[lineygoblue]

Bo was the originator of "run the ball even if it means we lose" policy. Harbaugh is a "Bo" guy.

What's more, he will insist not only on running the ball, but running it between the tackles. Paul Chryst will say "thanks coach", and take an easy win.

Wisconsin by 2 tds.

[froot loops]

I know everyone things it will be ultra low scoring. I think 28-21, M.

Will they have the lead the entire game?

[Jeff Buchanan]

I've seen some good analysis of the offense. There's no way to know with certainty who is making the play calls. There's no consensus. Either way, the second half contained some of the worst play calling ever....not the worst as measured by UFR derived scores but close. I think it was the 3rd worst scores for RPS in the Harbaugh era.

The first half has some of the best. It's unclear what happened. Only speculation. Harbaugh on the head sets over ruling Gattis? Turtle with a lead? Cade wasn't seeing things or hitting open receivers ...???? Why? Nothing certain but 70% of the playback disappeared. Strange, inexplicable.

It's not likely the Rutgers game is predictive. I don't see M winning in Madison though. Gut sense only. Tools are there. Seems like the trend is to not optimize them.

[Cody_Russell]

If M can't generate pressure with a 1st RD pick DE (Hutchinson) and the Baltimore Ravens defensive scheme with Mike Macdonald (blitz happy), then what is going on? No excuses there. Mertz can't look as comfortable as last season in the 2020 Wisconsin debacle in Ann Arbor.

[lineygoblue]

One of the things Michigan had done well historically, is make mediocre opposing quarterbacks look amazing. See: Rocky Lombardi, and many others.

If this kid Mertz has only one good game in him this season, it will happen on Saturday. Its fate.

[Cody_Russell]

When Lombardi could just lob it up to whoever Vincent Gray and Germon Green were covering last season, yup that works.

Let me reiterate something about Mertz. While Mertz was great in the 2020 Wisconsin vs M game, it wasn't just him. Wisconsin comfortably running for 300+ rushing yards was the big story in last season's game. Oh, and how M sucked in 2020.