Tag: Michigan Wisconsin

College Football Big Game Reaction: Cincinnati, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Michigan, Oklahoma

Quick reaction to the biggest games of Week 5. Cincinnati, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Michigan win, and Oregon suffered a brutal loss.

Quick reaction to the biggest games of Week 5, with the big wins by Cincinnati, Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan, the huge loss by Oregon, and the survival by Oklahoma.

College Football Big Game Reaction: Week 5

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– Week 5 Scoreboard, Predictions

Week 5 Big Game Reactions 
Stanford 31, Oregon 24 OT
Oklahoma 37, Kansas State 31
Michigan 38, Wisconsin 17
Georgia 37, Arkansas 0
Alabama 42, Ole Miss 21

Cincinnati 24, Notre Dame 13 Reaction

Let’s save all of the College Football Playoff talk for the next two months and start with this.

Cincinnati did what it had to do.

We’ll absolutely argue about whether or not the Bearcat schedule and overall body of work will be worthy of the final four – if the team goes unscathed – but it went on the road and beat Indiana, and it went on the road to beat a Notre Dame team coming off the buzz of the win over Wisconsin.

The Bearcats didn’t run all that well, but they got the hard yards when needed against the great Notre Dame defensive front. Desmond Ridder wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t throw any picks and he hit the downfield throws the Irish couldn’t connect on.

There were two turnovers, and the problems on third down will be a big deal if there really is an important showdown at some point, but they held up once the Irish had a little momentum in the second half, the American Athletic Conference lines held up, and the program proved it could win a game like this with everyone watching and all the pressure on its shoulders.

Give it a few days to breathe. Let the program enjoy the moment, and then the CFP spotlight is on.

Week 5 Big Game Reactions 
Stanford 31, Oregon 24 OT
Oklahoma 37, Kansas State 31
Michigan 38, Wisconsin 17
Georgia 37, Arkansas 0
Alabama 42, Ole Miss 21

NEXT: Stanford 31, Oregon 24 OT Reaction

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Three impressive offensive stats that have led Michigan to a 4-0 start

How the Wolverines offense has found success early in the year:

Wisconsin and Michigan are two teams trending in opposite directions, but it only takes one week to flip the script entirely. The Badgers and the Wolverines meet this Saturday at Camp Randall as part of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. Wisconsin will look to continue their home success against Michigan while the Wolverines will try and stay perfect on the young season.

Michigan’s schedule hasn’t been a complete cakewalk, but Wisconsin is the toughest team they have played on paper to this point. After taking care of Western Michigan, the Wolverines were supposed to see a top-25 team in Washington but the Huskies haven’t lived up to the billing. Following another easy win over Northern Illinois, Michigan got all they could handle from a solid Rutgers team before finishing the job late.

Offensively, what has propelled the Wolverines to a 4-0 start and three dominant wins? Here is a quick statistical look at how Michigan has found success early on:

Michigan vs Wisconsin Prediction, Game Preview

Michigan vs Wisconsin prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 2

Michigan vs Wisconsin prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 2

Michigan vs Wisconsin How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 2
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Michigan (4-0), Wisconsin (1-2)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Michigan vs Wisconsin Game Preview

Why Michigan Will Win

Graham Mertz.

It’s absolutely not fair to put two key losses on a college kid – it’s always on the well-paid adult coaches to teach and make the situation work. In Wisconsin’s case, the inability to consistently run the ball has been a problem since the beginning of last year, and the misery in the red zone has proven costly.

The Badgers were 1-of-4 inside the 20 in the 16-10 loss to Penn State, and settled for two field goals when the Notre Dame game was still in question.

With all of that, Mertz has to be better after throwing four picks against the Irish – two were returned for scores – and two against Penn State.

Michigan just has to hang around.

The Wisconsin secondary will give up a few deep shots if you keep testing them out – ask Penn State – and Cade McNamara is averaging over ten yards per throw. As long as the Wolverines can be patient, the chance will be there for a passing attack that has to work because …

– Week 5 College Football Expert Picks

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Defense, defense, defense.

Lost in the mega-meltdown of the Badgers in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame was how the defense did its part with absolutely no help from the other side.

The Badgers were supposed to dominate the Notre Dame offensive front – they came up with six sacks and allowed three rushing yards – and allowed just 248 yards of total offense.

The Michigan running game was held in check by Rutgers and it should be ground down to a halt again. It’s all about whether or not those Mertz turnovers and mistakes stop – Michigan only has four takeaways and doesn’t generate enough pressure in the backfield.

– Week 5 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

It’s been totally forgotten now, but Wisconsin outplayed Penn State and had that game won, but the Penn State defense stepped up in the key moments to pull it off.

Wisconsin was actually winning 13-10 in Soldier Field early in the fourth, and then the ensuing kickoff return after a field goal started the avalanche.

This is one of the big moments for a Badger program that hasn’t been itself. It hasn’t been able to run the ball well enough, there are too many mistakes, and last week’s final 14 minutes were among the most embarrassing in the last 25 years for the program.

That will all translate into a strong first half, but once again, there will be missed opportunity after missed opportunity. Wisconsin will seem like it’s dominating, and it’ll be up 9-6.

Mertz will be fine, and the defense will be great, but the red zone woes will continue as Michigan bends just enough to look shaky.

Two big deep plays will open things up in the second half as the Wolverines escape a brutal fight that ends with Mertz’s first turnover of the game.

– Week 4 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Michigan vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Michigan 20, Wisconsin 16
Line: Wisconsin -1.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: ‘The Low End Theory’ 30th anniversary
1: Not knowing how David Letterman rolls

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– Fearless Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Michigan vs Wisconsin Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Michigan Wolverines vs Wisconsin Badgers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Michigan Wolverines vs Wisconsin Badgers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Michigan vs Wisconsin Broadcast

Date: Sunday, February 14
Game Time: 12:00. ET
Venue: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Network: CBS

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Michigan (13-1) vs Wisconsin (15-6) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Michigan Will Win

Fresh legs won’t be a problem.

The Wolverines have been off for over three weeks, but can the offense stay as hot as it was before the layoff?

They had one clunker of a shooting game against Minnesota and were magnificent against everyone else, including Wisconsin in a 77-54 win back in mid-January. They were great from the outside – they hit 40% or more from three in three of their last four games – before the break.

Again, they were great against the Badgers hitting a season-high 56% from three.

Wisconsin has struggled with its consistency, the defense hasn’t been strong enough – forget it when it allows 45% or more from the field – and the Wolverines hit 50% from the field, but …

Why Wisconsin Will Win

How sharp will Michigan be?

Wisconsin might not be desperate, but it’s not going to be all that far off after losing three of its last five games. However, this seems to be one of those teams that’s able to overcome clunkers with something great.

It managed to go win-loss-win-loss-win-loss and, if you care about patterns and adjustments, it’s due for a win, especially being at home for just the second time since January 23rd.

For all of the issues, Wisconsin still has the best defense in the Big Ten, it doesn’t normally enough a whole lot of mistakes, and when it’s hitting from the outside, it wins. However …

What’s Going To Happen

The team that’s No. 1 in the nation in turnovers has turned it over a lot lately – for the Badgers.

It doesn’t seem like it’s a ton, but double-digit turnovers are cause for alarm, and they’ve given it up ten or more times in each of the last four games after doing that just four times in the previous 17.

One of those games was against Michigan.

It might be the first game back for the Wolverines, and this isn’t the team you want to tune-up against, but the scoring punch will be there in the second half to get back on track.

Michigan vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Michigan 70, Wisconsin 66
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Michigan -1, o/u: 132.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Monster Mash as a Valentine’s Day song
1: Purchasing orange drink for the long ride home

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Former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer ‘likes everything about Wisconsin’

One of the biggest storylines from the Wisconsin Badgers’ blowout victory against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday was Michigan HC…

One of the biggest storylines from the Wisconsin Badgers’ blowout victory against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday was Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh‘s performance and the state of the Michigan football program.

While ESPN and other mainstream outlets had a lot to say about Harbaugh’s future, there were still a few conversations about the Wisconsin side of the game and how great the Badgers have played this season.

Related: What Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh said after the game

One of the most notable analysts to rave about the 2020 Wisconsin Badgers and the program as a whole was former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer.

“I like everything about Wisconsin, I always have,” Meyer said. “I go back to Barry Alvarez, [Brett] Bielema, Gary Anderson and then Chryst…It starts with the boss and that’s coach Alvarez. I love what they do fundamentally, offensively and defensively.”

The three-time National Championship-winning coach continued to cite why Wisconsin is so effective on offense, saying “Wisconsin doesn’t run plays, they run concepts. I think they’re as well-coached as anybody.” He then got into specifics by explaining how the jet sweep actions come off an entire offensive set that sets up those plays.

Related: Studs and duds from the Badgers’ onslaught of the Michigan Wolverines

Meyer finished his comments by giving high praise to redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz and the Badger football program as a whole.

“I think Graham Mertz is going to be a star in the Big Ten,” Meyer said. “But I’ve always been a huge fan of Wisconsin. And to come back after two weeks, all the COVID-19 issues they’ve dealt with. I think they’re one of the best programs in college football.”

This is all high praise coming from anybody who covers the sport, let alone one of the most successful college football coaches of all time. And given the way things are trending on the field and on the recruiting trail, it seems like the best is still to come from Chryst and the Badger football program.

Here is the full interview clip:

 

Gameday work:

What Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh said about Wisconsin after the game

Paul Chryst and the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers returned to the field last night in Ann Arbor, Michigan and made an absolute statement…

Paul Chryst and the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers returned to the field last night in Ann Arbor, Michigan and made an absolute statement, routing HC Jim Harbaugh and the 1-3 Michigan Wolverines 49-11.

The game was more than a positive sign for the Badgers, especially after having to wait 22 days to play their second game of the year.

Related: Studs and duds from the Badgers’ onslaught of the Michigan Wolverines

Michigan, on the other hand, now sits at 1-3 on the season and has real questions about the team, the coaching and the overall direction of the program.

Harbaugh discussed after the game what his team needs to change going forward, saying “there’s nothing to right now to say an acceptable job is being done — players or the coaches.”

He then continued to note that his team needs to re-evaluate the “process of everything we do — we’ve gotta try to win by all means necessary. That’s gonna be our training, that’s gotta be our workouts, that’s gotta be our meetings, that’s gotta be our coaches. All of us in terms of putting our plan together — every meeting, every walkthrough, every practice, nutrition, recovery — everything we do is going to be aimed at improvement. Really all areas, all areas. Anything we can identify of a way we could do it better. I’m thinking of things, but gotta address all areas.”

The Michigan head coach also had good things to say about the job Paul Chryst and the Badgers did in every area last night, especially on the perimeter:

“They had extra blockers on the perimeter. We didn’t set the edge all night. We weren’t containing.”

A testament to the job Chryst and his staff did preparing the team, Harbaugh noted that they “were thoroughly beaten in every phase. Didn’t really do anything well. Did not play good, did not coach good.”

Most of the focus of the press conference was on the state of the Michigan team and program, though the overall tone pointed towards the Badgers’ utter domination of the Wolverines on all fronts.

Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers are back in action on Saturday against the undefeated No. 19 Northwestern Wildcats. A fun fact to note: the game will mark the first top-20 matchup between the two teams since 1962.

Gameday work:

What Michigan is saying about Wisconsin football this week

The No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers are set to take the field tonight against the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines in what will be their first game…

The No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers are set to take the field tonight against the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines in what will be their first game in 22 days.

This week we’ve gone through the matchup, analyzed the Wolverine team, and gave you keys to the game, what to watch for and why Wisconsin will come away with a victory.

That’s all from a Wisconsin perspective

Now we’re looking at what Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has been saying about the Badgers this week.

Related: BadgersWire round table: Wisconsin-Michigan score prediction

First, regarding the fact the Badgers have only played one game this season, Harbaugh said his team will “use film against Illinois and film from last year” to prepare for the contest.

I don’t think anybody knows what Wisconsin team we’ll see tonight, especially given the fact there will likely be players out and the team hasn’t played in more than three weeks.

Despite this being the marquee matchup of the weekend in college football, a lot of the talk in Michigan is around their 1-2 start and what direction the program is heading.

When asked about how the team will prepare for the rest of the season with the Big Ten off the table, Harbaugh said the focus is to win the next game on the schedule and said he and his team aren’t concerned with the outside noise about their bad start.

There wasn’t much else said in his game week press conference against the Badgers and the matchup between the two teams, as many of the questions addressed why Michigan has started slow and what direction the team and the program are heading.

Who are the 2020 Michigan Wolverines?

Unlike the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers, who have only played one game thus far, Jim Harbaugh and the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines have been in action each weekend to start the season. Long story short: it hasn’t been that pretty. Since the Harbaugh era …

Unlike the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers, who have only played one game thus far, Jim Harbaugh and the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines have been in action each weekend to start the season. Long story short: it hasn’t been that pretty.

Since the Harbaugh era began in Ann Arbor you could use a few words to define his teams: sub-par quarterback play, an average yet consistent offense and an uber-talented and dominant defense.

Related: Can Graham Mertz play this Saturday?

This year, though, it seems like most of that has been turned on its head.

There are still a lot of question marks surrounding the matchup including who will be able to suit up for the Badgers and whether Graham Mertz will start at quarterback.

That all can be put aside for a second as we go in-depth into 2020 Michigan Wolverines.

 

Related: 

ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor still likes the Badgers’ chances

After what will be three weeks of waiting, the Wisconsin Badgers are set to resume their season this weekend when they visit Jim Harbaugh…

After what will be three weeks of waiting, the Wisconsin Badgers are set to resume their season this weekend when they visit Jim Harbaugh and the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines.

Wisconsin started their season with a 45-7 statement victory against Lovie Smith and the Illinois Fighting Illini back on October 23. There was then a COVID-19 outbreak within the program and all football activities were put on hold.

Related: 3 things to watch for against Michigan this weekend

Going into the season ESPN FPI, SP+ and other predicting metrics liked the Badgers’ chances to reach the College Football Playoff. Part of their preseason love due to the easy schedule in front of the team, but much was also due to arguably-improved defense and consistency on offense.

We saw both of those traits play out against Illinois and much, much more, as redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz threw for 248 yards and 5 touchdowns, the defense shut out Illinois and the team as a whole looked unstoppable.

That obviously won’t be the case every week, but many questions were answered during that Week 1 game that began to validate the preseason love the team was getting.

Now, heading into Week 4 of the Big Ten season sitting at 1-0, ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor continues to give Paul Chryst’s team the fourth-highest chance to reach the playoff behind only Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson.

Chryst and his team will need to play the remaining five games on their schedule in order to qualify for the conference championship, let alone the playoff.

But if the team is able to play and win every game and give Ohio State a run for their money in the Big Ten Championship, the Badgers-to-the-playoff argument will have a lot of steam.

 

Stay tuned to BadgersWire all week as we preview the upcoming contest against Michigan and evaluate what the team could look like when they take the field on Saturday.

HC Paul Chryst discusses the COVID-19 status of his team heading into Saturday

All signs point towards the Wisconsin Badgers returning to the field this weekend against the Michigan Wolverines in what will be…

All signs point towards the Wisconsin Badgers returning to the field this weekend against the Michigan Wolverines in what will be their first game in 3 weeks.

Head Coach Paul Chryst met with the media today and discussed the contest, his experience with COVID-19 and the current COVID-19 status with the team.

Related: 3 things to watch for against Michigan this weekend

The main message: it is great to be back with the team and begin a normal week of preparation, though there is still a lot up in the air about who will be able to suit up on Saturday.

Chryst was asked specifically about the depth chart and how many players will miss the game, to which he responded by saying he doesn’t know how it will shake out with when players can return to practice and whether they will have enough practice time to get ready.

He did say, though, that there will likely be players that will receive snaps this weekend that “three weeks ago weren’t in that position.”

Related: A senior Badger makes the 2021 preseason Big Ten first team

In terms of redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz (probably the player everybody wants to know about), Chryst said he has returned to football activity and “will have some practice.” Whether that is enough preparation to play against Michigan, like much about the current situation, is yet to be seen.

Per Big Ten rules Mertz can play if he is cleared by a cardiologist and all goes well with his conditioning and practice this week. The outstanding variable at this point is how conditioned he will be after isolating with COVID-19 and whether he has enough practice time to prepare.

In terms of his own experience with the virus, Chryst said he “did not have a lot of symptoms” after testing positive.

 

Stay tuned to BadgersWire as we follow the ongoing story that is COVID-19 within the Badger football program and preview the upcoming contest against Jim Harbaugh and the 1-2 Michigan Wolverines.