This will be super tough for the Wolverines. The Wisconsin D running the 3-4 will be in Speights face constantly. Look for the quick underneath throws and interior runs with Peppers on offense more. This will also be a huge test for the defense. The bottom line is that these two teams could possibly play each other twice this year.
Wisky vs Michigan
- Thread starter scfanblue
- Start date
It's going to be a great game I think. Pro style vs pro style.
Harbaugh must be wetting himself over this matchup - it's right in his wheelhouse.
Harbaugh must be wetting himself over this matchup - it's right in his wheelhouse.
I think our passing game >>>> Wisky passing game.. No one is gonna earn a living running the ball but we'll move the ball consistently thru the air and put up more points.
UM 30 - Wisky 20
UM 30 - Wisky 20
Agreed on the running games of both, if UM's pass pro is up to snuff, it's likely the key to a UM victory.
On paper we have the advantage across the board except for RB. Our coach, WRs, lines, etc are all better - I would say their O-line is probably better. Our O-line is a hit or miss - I have yet to see a drive where all 5 lineman put it together. I saw Kalis miss on quite a few blocks yesterday - god when is that dude going to graduate already???
I think it will boil down to who wants it more and special teams. While our special teams return and punt blocking have been great our FG kicking game is a huge unknown and our coverage on kickoffs and punts is average at best. Turnovers will also play a difference. I like how Speight is taking care of the ball - live to see another down versus try to fit it in there. He has to continue to do that.
I tell you what is somehow Wisci can beat us - man wins at a neutral site against LSU, @MSU, and @UM that would be impressive. Hope it does not happen. Hoping we beat Wisci and it fires them up to beat OSU
I think it will boil down to who wants it more and special teams. While our special teams return and punt blocking have been great our FG kicking game is a huge unknown and our coverage on kickoffs and punts is average at best. Turnovers will also play a difference. I like how Speight is taking care of the ball - live to see another down versus try to fit it in there. He has to continue to do that.
I tell you what is somehow Wisci can beat us - man wins at a neutral site against LSU, @MSU, and @UM that would be impressive. Hope it does not happen. Hoping we beat Wisci and it fires them up to beat OSU
UM isn't going to win running the ball. Still want to see Higdon/Evans develop. I give Smith credit for a good game but it was against lb'ers who shouldn't start on a Junior College team. They were awful. If you notice with Smith...when the holes were enormous then he can do fine because what he is GREAT at is pummeling 2nd level guys (like safeties) when he has a head of steam. What he is poor at is exploding through the hole or reading the blocks before the 1st level. It was a perfect matchup for UM/Smith and I don't read anything into this last game. If UM can run against Wiscy then I will happily admit I was wrong.
In regards to Kalis...he is without a doubt the worst pulling guard/2nd level blocker I have ever seen at UM. If you put a guy right in front of him then he is more than fine. If he has to move 2 yards to find a block and try and block him then it won't happen. He is so upright and stiff. He is like a missile that is fired for a specific location and can't go off any pre programmed location. If the defender moves or is agile enough then forget it.
RM
On paper we have the advantage across the board except for RB. Our coach, WRs, lines, etc are all better - I would say their O-line is probably better. Our O-line is a hit or miss - I have yet to see a drive where all 5 lineman put it together. I saw Kalis miss on quite a few blocks yesterday - god when is that dude going to graduate already???
I think it will boil down to who wants it more and special teams. While our special teams return and punt blocking have been great our FG kicking game is a huge unknown and our coverage on kickoffs and punts is average at best. Turnovers will also play a difference. I like how Speight is taking care of the ball - live to see another down versus try to fit it in there. He has to continue to do that.
I tell you what is somehow Wisci can beat us - man wins at a neutral site against LSU, @MSU, and @UM that would be impressive. Hope it does not happen. Hoping we beat Wisci and it fires them up to beat OSU
Calling the game vs. LSU a neutral site game is kinda goofy. A Packers/Lions game in Madison would hardly be considered neutral site. Not taking anything away from Badger W over Tigers but c'mon now.
Huge test for our defense? I disagree, Wisconsin is pretty pedestrian on offense.
If we score more than 21 points, I don't see any way we lose this game, even if Wisconsin scores on defense.
Something tells me that UM is going to struggle running the ball. Wisconsin is not going to kick to Peppers. These guys are grinders and I expect a 17-14 type of game.
Great test for UM. I want to see Wisconsin really put the heat on Speight and find out the resolve of this offense since I have less concerns for the UM defense. This is a good matchup for UM on the other side of the ball.
RM
Great test for UM. I want to see Wisconsin really put the heat on Speight and find out the resolve of this offense since I have less concerns for the UM defense. This is a good matchup for UM on the other side of the ball.
RM
Our pass pro has been very solid this year, this is the key to the game as I see it. If we pick up games and blitzes, Speight will use our receivers effectively and will put up enough points to win. He showed me a lot with his feet in this last game, I'm counting on his continuing to develop passing on the move. I'm repeating myself, but he's looked better passing while moving than any QB I've seen at UM this side of Henson. Maybe the best since Harbaugh, who was an outstanding throwing QB on the move. Having typed that, I'm seeing a lot of Harbaugh (not his speed, but footwork) in Speight's development.
Wisconsin looks like they do a lot of over the middle passing and slants, which I think Peppers and McCray along with our CBs will do well against. I think our DL will largely neutralize their running game and I don't see them making a lot of noise with their passing game which will depend big time on quick passes.
Early week prediction of something in the order of 24-14 UM.
Wisconsin looks like they do a lot of over the middle passing and slants, which I think Peppers and McCray along with our CBs will do well against. I think our DL will largely neutralize their running game and I don't see them making a lot of noise with their passing game which will depend big time on quick passes.
Early week prediction of something in the order of 24-14 UM.
It's O$U's spread that keeps me up at night, not a manball, conventional team like Wisconsin. I'm not taking a victory for granted, I just really like how our defense matches up against them and how half our offense matches up.
I think the key to the game is much more mental then it is physical. Michigan has not beaten a Top 10 team in 8 years - since they last beat Wisconsin at home under Rich Rod. That's just a crazy stat to me. Wisconsin on the other hand has beaten 2 Top 10 teams this year alone - regardless of what we may say of LSU and MSU. Point is, mentally Wisconsin knows they can play with anyone while I think Michigan may still have doubt to a certain degree since it's been so long since we have done that. We came close against OSU twice and MSU last year but were unable to seal the deal.
Confidence is contagious and that is why I think this is really perhaps the most important game of 2016 for us. If we can win this one, it will give guys a lot of confidence going to places like EL, Iowa, Columbus, etc. I think the key will be that we can't have a big hole and be down by a lot like we did against Colorado because that is when doubt will start to creep in against a Top 10 team. If we somehow are down 14 points to Wisconsin, I think it will be a tall task for Michigan to muster up the confidence back that they can make a comeback. On the flip side, if Michigan can get out of the first half up or even tied, I think we crank it up in the 2nd half and run away with the game.
Right now, I would say physically we have the advantage. Michigan offense > Wisconsin offense. Michigan defense > Wisconsin defense. Michigan ST > Wisconsin ST. Michigan coaching staff > Wisconsin coaching staff. Wisconsin's mental edge > Michigan's mental edge...regardless of what M players say in their interviews. I think Wisconsin players are going to walk in with a swagger and play loose because quite frankly most would have thought they would be 2-2 by this time so they are already way ahead of schedule and this is another game they should "on paper" lose by a lot.
I think this will boil down to our offense not turning the ball over, Drevno dialing up the right play calls at the right time and our defense not giving up some massive runs to the Wisconsin RBs given that their O-line will create holes no matter what we do.
Predict Michigan in a dog fight...going with the 17-14 prediction I think someone else above had as well.
Confidence is contagious and that is why I think this is really perhaps the most important game of 2016 for us. If we can win this one, it will give guys a lot of confidence going to places like EL, Iowa, Columbus, etc. I think the key will be that we can't have a big hole and be down by a lot like we did against Colorado because that is when doubt will start to creep in against a Top 10 team. If we somehow are down 14 points to Wisconsin, I think it will be a tall task for Michigan to muster up the confidence back that they can make a comeback. On the flip side, if Michigan can get out of the first half up or even tied, I think we crank it up in the 2nd half and run away with the game.
Right now, I would say physically we have the advantage. Michigan offense > Wisconsin offense. Michigan defense > Wisconsin defense. Michigan ST > Wisconsin ST. Michigan coaching staff > Wisconsin coaching staff. Wisconsin's mental edge > Michigan's mental edge...regardless of what M players say in their interviews. I think Wisconsin players are going to walk in with a swagger and play loose because quite frankly most would have thought they would be 2-2 by this time so they are already way ahead of schedule and this is another game they should "on paper" lose by a lot.
I think this will boil down to our offense not turning the ball over, Drevno dialing up the right play calls at the right time and our defense not giving up some massive runs to the Wisconsin RBs given that their O-line will create holes no matter what we do.
Predict Michigan in a dog fight...going with the 17-14 prediction I think someone else above had as well.
Honestly, I don't think we're ever going to have to worry about the mental aspect of the game under Harbaugh. Those guys will be ready and they aren't going to back down from anyone.
Also agree that UM will be mentally prepared for this game. They didnt let the quick lead that Colorado had early on in the game stop them. Theyre going to play four full quarters. Regardless if theyre up by alot to, JH will have it ingrained in their heads to play as if the score is still 0-0.
Hope you are both correct - Colorado is not in the same boat as Wisconsin - Wisci has a legit defense. I remember the OSU game where we just completely folded last year. We got punched in the gut and did not know what the heck to do. Either way, Go Blue - hope we pull out a big win and Mark May can stop yapping about how overrated Michigan is.
That had absolutely nothing to do with our mental makeup. We did not have the horses to handle OSU in the 2nd half. Losing Ryan Glasgow last year was one of the worst things that could have happened to that defense, especially considering Mone was already out. Hopefully Mone can get healthy and Glasgow can remain healthy this year, as they will play a HUGE part in defending OSU's rushing attack.
Mark May.
Another reason to stop watching Espn.
He is one of their so-called anal-ysts right?
You honestly think having Glasgow would have made any difference in that game? One D-lineman would not have prevented us from being demolished. You win as a team, we did nothing on offense either and our O-line was constantly manhandled. Go back and watch the game as painful as it was but we got smacked in every single aspect of the game. Now, what was really encouraging to me was how we came back out against Florida and that showed a lot of resolve.
Bottom line, I think Michigan needs a win against a marquee team get it's full swagger back and truly believe they are not to the middle of the bunch BIG team but rather one of the top ones.
I do believe UM has the confidence to beat a good team (see bowl game last year). I don't believe UM has a mental issue with Harbaugh at the helm. They exude confidence and it showed against Colorado. I think this team is the opposite of what someone said during the Hoke era. The person said the Hoke team thinks they are good and they are not....this Harbaugh team knows they are good and believe it 100%.
The problem with Wisconsin is that they are good and they know it too and they are physical so this is a legitimate test for playing teams like MSU. This UM team is mature enough and has been under the Harbaugh thumb for over a year. They play this game last year at the same time then I pick Wisconsin in a close game.
I think UM knows this is a statement game which brings me to my point. Last week I would have said what does this game really mean? It's not an East division game. It has some value but not really as important as the MSU game.
I was wrong. This game is huge for perception and the confidence of UM. This game also is a huge resume builder for UM just in case they lose only a game against OSU and could sneak into the BCS. I think UM could still lose this game in a competitive manner and it would have value for UM. This game looks like a heavyweight fight. UM under Harbaugh is trying to play a physical style...a Wisconsin/Barry Alvarez style of football for the most part.
This is like a Jordan/Bulls team trying to overtake the Pistons as the top dawg. Wisconsin is arguably the Big Ten's 2nd best program over the past 20 years. I see UM trying to go up the pecking order and it's right there and now is the opportunity to show that maybe it's not Alabama or OSU yet but it's a legit national program based on performance and not based on Harbaugh.
RM
The problem with Wisconsin is that they are good and they know it too and they are physical so this is a legitimate test for playing teams like MSU. This UM team is mature enough and has been under the Harbaugh thumb for over a year. They play this game last year at the same time then I pick Wisconsin in a close game.
I think UM knows this is a statement game which brings me to my point. Last week I would have said what does this game really mean? It's not an East division game. It has some value but not really as important as the MSU game.
I was wrong. This game is huge for perception and the confidence of UM. This game also is a huge resume builder for UM just in case they lose only a game against OSU and could sneak into the BCS. I think UM could still lose this game in a competitive manner and it would have value for UM. This game looks like a heavyweight fight. UM under Harbaugh is trying to play a physical style...a Wisconsin/Barry Alvarez style of football for the most part.
This is like a Jordan/Bulls team trying to overtake the Pistons as the top dawg. Wisconsin is arguably the Big Ten's 2nd best program over the past 20 years. I see UM trying to go up the pecking order and it's right there and now is the opportunity to show that maybe it's not Alabama or OSU yet but it's a legit national program based on performance and not based on Harbaugh.
RM
This game will be hard, and those watching will see that it looks like we were tested...but the score will not reflect the game in the end. I see Michigan 45 WI 17. We will be too much in the end because we have more talented players starting and on the bench. We will appear to never get tired
I don't see Hoke or Rich's legacy having an impact on this team or on Harbaugh. Should have beat MSU last year, knocked off a respectable Florida team. Aside from O$U there was lots of momentum out of last year. Do agree that Wisky comes armed with experience of playing toe-to-toe vs. tougher teams than UM, but I don't think UM's struggles vs. top teams over the years bears at all on this game.
Hope you are right man - the Wisconsin defense seems to be pretty legit and almost as aggressive as our defense - I am hoping going up against our D in practice will help WS prepare for the offense to be methodical.
Here's an abbreviated version of the Wisky vs MSU game. MSU had time to throw the ball but O'Connor sucks. UM will make plays in the passing game. If we can stay away from turnovers and giving up big plays I think we win this one.
I think this is a good matchup for Michigan. Wiscy's strength is arguably their O-line, and I like Michigan's D-line against anybody.
Defense and special teams for Michigan have been dominant for the most part. Offense just needs to add a little bit and we win.
Defense and special teams for Michigan have been dominant for the most part. Offense just needs to add a little bit and we win.
Wisconsin has been underated for many years now. They can win with opportunistic defense & special teams, they can win by pounding the ball, they've won with BIG running plays...and surprisingly they've gotten enough solid passing plays by no name QB's to win games through the air too. Make no mistake, the team wearing the "block W" or whatever they call it are a big time program.
this will be a good one and i expect a good game. michigan and wisconsin match up well both simalar styles of play and very good up front. i expect this one to be close but in the end wisconsins running attack will be to much for michigan there linebackers core will have some trouble defending the wisconsin run game. Wisconsin takes this one 16-10. the game will be played at michigan stadium at least so that should help some at least. this will be a good one though and good luck to both teams!
Doubtful. Wisconsin is a perfect matchup for the Michigan D, and Michigan has far more playmakers on O then Wisconsin does. This isn't penn state wisconsin is going against here.
I still contend that this will be a great game. Throw out all of the theories about having better skill people etc., because Wisconsin is coached very very well and especially on defense. They have beaten LSU and MSU (In East Lansing) and coming into AA with a load of confidence. Michigan can be beat and Michigan can beat them. It depends on who shows up to play on Saturday. If Wisconsin plays like they did against Georgia State then they will be blown out. If Michigan approaches this game with the dead flat emotion they displayed against Colorado then Wisky will put a beat down on them. Can't wait until 3:30. This is a good one folks so why in the hell is there so many posts on our board about Joe Pa and PSU. That game is over and PSU sucks this year AND Paterno is dead. Move on.
I don't think Wisconsin has played a complete team, with offensive and defensive weapons, like UM. For that matter, UM clearly hasn't faced anyone nearly the quality of Wisky. I really like our chances, we have a lot of momentum and get this first, big game of the year in our house that is again rocking and a rolling, I don't think we've nearly opened all the playbook, and we are at full strength essentially on D. Those factors bold well for, while not guaranteeing, victory.
Visiting Rivals friends and low traffic (man I miss the days when this board was absolutely hopping) contribute to lazy conversations about PSU. The UCF/PSU slappies are court jesters IMHO, entertaining for a while and that turn into aggravating flies that won't leave when they overstay their welcome.
Should have been at least 20-7 if not 23-7.. We played horrible and still dominated them..
First down UM - 21 / WIS - 8
Rushing yards - UM 130 / WIS 71
Passing yards - UM 219 / WIS 88
Total yards UM - 349 / WIS - 159
This game was WAY closer than it should have been. We're better than them on our worst day.
First down UM - 21 / WIS - 8
Rushing yards - UM 130 / WIS 71
Passing yards - UM 219 / WIS 88
Total yards UM - 349 / WIS - 159
This game was WAY closer than it should have been. We're better than them on our worst day.
I believe we are also, we just gotta get vertain kinks worked out.
Like this FG issue and finishing in the inzone.
We will be fine. We have 3 weeks to essentially figure things out before we play a very tough opponent. We should not just waltz into Rutgers worrying about a hangover but I think we will prevail and I hope Grant Newsome is fine in 3-4 weeks and we figure out our kicking woes.
All of a sudden with the season progressing, it looks like Iowa may not be that tough but Maryland looks fairly decent right now.
Wisconsin's defense is legit btw - they are aggressive and I think they will win a few games. Our defense is insanely good!!!
All of a sudden with the season progressing, it looks like Iowa may not be that tough but Maryland looks fairly decent right now.
Wisconsin's defense is legit btw - they are aggressive and I think they will win a few games. Our defense is insanely good!!!
Im excited to see how Wisconsins D does against osu in 2 weeks.
We'll learn a lot from that game ... looking forward to watching that one also!
Yup.
I love the fact some of the players are addressing the fans with "chill the f out. we got this." type interviews when the fans get nervous after anything but a perfect game. I noticed that this year especially. Good to see that.
