Tag: Wisconsin

Preview: Michigan at Wisconsin

MICHIGAN RUSH OFFENSE vs. WISCONSIN RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #69 in rush offense (171 yards/game) and #94 in yards per carry (3.79), but it feels even worse. While all-conference left tackle Jon Runyan, Jr. should be back in action this weekend after missing the first two games, there are rumors that starting running back Zach Charbonnet will miss time after having his knee scoped. Wisconsin is #1 in rush defense (20.5 yards allowed/game) and #2 in yards allowed per carry (0.93). The Badgers have 10 tackles for loss already, led by outside linebacker Zack Baun (6’3″, 235 lbs.). Freshman nose tackle Keeanu Benton (6’4″, 315) will start, which might be a plus for Michigan when he’s matched up against junior Cesar Ruiz for much of the game.
Advantage: Wisconsin

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Awards

Dylan McCaffrey puts the exclamations point on this one! #Michigan goes up 38-7 late in the 4th! #GoBlue ?〽️? @dcaf20 pic.twitter.com/0IRPbH43el

— Wolverine Corner (@WolverineCorner) October 14, 2018

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Dylan McCaffrey. I liked that Michigan started trying to devise ways to get McCaffrey involved in the offense, even with Shea Patterson still in the game. It didn’t prove beneficial in this game (McCaffrey lined up at slot receiver, motioned in behind the QB, and then ran a return motion while Michigan threw a quick screen to the opposite side), but it may set up some things in the future. The presence of an athletic QB (who had a 44-yard TD run) who can also throw the ball is probably more versatile than having a Wildcat QB like Jabrill Peppers, even though McCaffrey isn’t as explosive.

read more

Michigan 38, Wisconsin 13

Josh Metellus (image via Detroit News)

So…uh…how about that offensive line? It hasn’t been often that we have said this over the past few years, but the offensive line play was excellent. The Badgers’ defense isn’t as good as it has been in some other recent seasons – the linebackers aren’t as good, and the defensive line was banged up. But it’s still a well coached unit, and the linebackers are solid. This offensive line would have still been mauled in recent years, but Shea Patterson had oodles of time to throw, and Karan Higdon had good enough run blocking to bounce some runs to the outside for big chunk gains. The coverage on the back end was good for the most part, so Patterson still had to scramble (and tried to do too much at times), but there weren’t many mistakes up front. Credit goes to the players, obviously, but I think the Ed Warinner Effect is becoming more and more apparent.

Hit the jump for the rest of the recap.

read more

Preview: Michigan vs. Wisconsin

RUSH OFFENSE vs. WISCONSIN RUSH DEFENSE

Michigan is #42 in rushing offense (200 yards/game), and the team’s 5.08 yards per carry is #35 nationally. The team is led by Karan Higdon (582 yards, 5.8 yards/carry, 5 TD), who is averaging just over 20 carries per game, which would be the highest number of carries for any running back in over a decade. Backup Chris Evans (172/5.7/2) has missed the last couple games with a hamstring injury, but he should be back this week. Wisconsin is #43 in rushing defense (130 yards allowed/game) and gives up 4.43 yards per carry (tied for #81). The leading tacklers are senior linebackers Ryan Connelly (6’3″, 237 lbs.) and T.J. Edwards (6’1″, 242) with 29 and 26 tackles, respectively. The next two guys on the list are the starting safeties, who have 25 stops each. Edwards (5.5) and Connelly (4.5) also lead the team in tackles for loss. The Badgers have a massive nose tackle in Olive Sagapolu (6’2″, 342), but they have had a terrible rash of injuries at defensive end and will be without starter Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

read more

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Awards

Karan Higdon (image via Saturday Tradition)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Karan Higdon. Higdon had 7 carries for 20 yards on Saturday, and he played second fiddle to Chris Evans while nursing an ankle injury. If Michigan has any chance to beat Ohio State, it has to have a healthy Higdon. Higdon is the team’s leading rusher this season (136 carries, 874 yards, 6.43 yards/carry, 10 TDs).

Hit the jump for the rest of the awards.

read more