Badger Football is back! After 22 days since the Badgers last took the field, they head to Ann Arbor for a clash with the Michigan Wolverines. The game is scheduled for 6:30 PM CST on ABC. It will be the prime time game in college football this week. Here we breakdown Saturday’s game.
About The Badgers
The Badgers have not taken the field since October 23 due to a COVID outbreak in the program. Starting quarterback Graham Mertz and head coach Paul Chryst were among the ones who tested positive. It is unclear who will be out this week, but Chryst mentioned this week other players who don’t normally see consistent playing time will be asked to step up.
Graham Mertz is the biggest question coming into the Michigan game. At the time of publishing this article, it is unclear if he has been cleared to play Saturday night. Mertz’s availability is the key to this game.
Mertz looked great in his only start this year. He completed 20-21 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns. The running game wasn’t it’s normal self against Illinois. the team of Nakia Watson, Garrett Groshek, and Isaac Guerendo will need to step up against Michigan.
About The Wolverines
Michigan comes into this game 1-2 on the season. They are coming off a loss to Indiana last week 38-21. Any fan watching the Big Ten knows that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is either on the hot seat or close to it. Michigan is allowing 29.7 points and 411 yards per game.
Don’t let the scores and stats fool you though. This team is still full of talent, especially on the offensive side. Quarterback Joe Milton has a cannon for an arm and is also a threat to run as well. Michigan hasn’t had a quarterback under Harbaugh who has been able to do both.
Michigan also has a solid one-two punch at running back as well. Hassan Haskins is the teams leading rusher so far with 20 carries for 157 yards and three touchdown. Zach Charbonnet is a physical running back and will be relied upon as well. Wide receiver Ronnie Bell is a solid receiver who the Badgers need to keep in check for the entire game. If he has a break out game, it could be a long game for Wisconsin.
Who Wins
Wisconsin could be coming into this game rusty. Not playing for three weeks does matter. It will be interesting to see how sharp and crisp Wisconsin opens up. A fast start is going to be key for Wisconsin and keeping Joe Milton in check. Michigan’s defense has not been able to get off the field consistently. Their secondary has been torched as of late too. However, Michigan has the talent and the star power to break out at any time.
If Graham Mertz plays, his play will be critical. He will need to play similar to what he did against Illinois and not turn the ball over. The running game also needs to step up Saturday. If Mertz doesn’t play, this is a game the defense needs to dominate and keep Wisconsin in the game as well.
I am going to assume that Graham Mertz does suit up Saturday. Because of that, I think Wisconsin goes into Ann Arbor and beats a reeling Michigan team 27-20 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
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