BadgersWire Roundtable: Wisconsin-Michigan score predictions

Score predictions for Wisconsin’s battle with Michigan

Wisconsin football’s second game day is finally here, with the Badgers and Michigan Wolverines facing off in prime time on ABC.

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Our team at BadgersWire got together to predict how tonight shakes out, and all of us foresee good news for Wisconsin:

Ben: The Badgers enter the contest with question marks surrounding who will take the field and how conditioned the team will be. Nevertheless, mainly because I believe Graham Mertz will start, I think Wisconsin enters with a clear advantage. Michigan has been inconsistent on both sides of the football, their secondary and offensive line have struggled and Jim Harbaugh is firmly entering the hot seat. It’s worth saying that if Mertz doesn’t play, the Wolverines win the game.

But with Mertz under center the Badgers are the most consistent team, still have a Big Ten Championship to play for and win the game.

Wisconsin: 27  Michigan: 20 

Asher: Wisconsin has the clear advantage on the defensive side of the football. Expect Jim Leonhard’s defensive front to win the battle in the trenches with Michigan’s offensive line. As Ben noted, QB Graham Mertz holds the keys to the car for Wisconsin’s offense, but all signs point to him being able to take the field.

The Badgers can take advantage of a weak Michigan secondary and a Don Brown defense that has been burned in man coverage over the past couple of weeks.

Joe Milton and Michigan’s offense have the playmakers to stay in the football game. In the end, Wisconsin wins a close one after a game sealing defensive stop.

Wisconsin: 24  Michigan: 21

Wade: 

Joe Milton and Michigan’s offense have faltered early on in the season, dropping two straight to Michigan State and 10th-ranked Indiana. Wisconsin could be pretty limited as well, which is why this game could be very different than usual. Despite being limited and not playing for over two weeks, Wisconsin has the tools to beat this Michigan team.

The keys for Wisconsin will be getting consistent pressure on Joe Milton, and holding on to the football on offense. I think the Badgers ultimately beat the Wolverines on the road with a dominant defensive performance.

Wisconsin: 21   Michigan: 10

 

Wisconsin vs Michigan Prediction, Game Preview

Wisconsin Badgers vs Michigan Wolverines prediction and game preview.

Wisconsin vs Michigan prediction and game preview.


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Wisconsin vs Michigan Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Network: ABC

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Wisconsin (1-0) vs Michigan (1-2) Game Preview

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Why Wisconsin Will Win

And now the Badgers are rested – to put a positive spin on the last few weeks.

Michigan was able to run for a grand total of 13 yards against Indiana. It didn’t really try – there were only 18 carries – but it’s not like the struggling running game is going to get healthy again against this run D.

The Badgers had problems against Illinois when QB Brandon Peters ran, but the running backs didn’t do anything. On the other side of the ball, is the Graham Mertz show back on?

After hitting 20-of-21 passes with five scores against the Illini, now he gets to roll against a Michigan secondary that allowed 665 yards through the air over the last two games.

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Why Michigan Will Win

Again, Wisconsin gave up a few rushing yards to Illinois, and they mostly came from the quarterback. Michigan’s Joe Milton has been good from the start with 869 yards and four scores through the air, and he ran for over 50 yards in each of the first two games.

He didn’t take off enough against Indiana, but that’s about to change.

Allow Milton to take off when the openings are there, don’t force things, and keep taking shots down the field. The Wisconsin secondary is full of veterans, but challenge it deep, and it’ll give up its share of big plays.

What’s Going To Happen

Michigan usually rises up and rocks when its back is against the wall, but that was supposed to happen last week against Indiana. This is still a physical team with enough talent and weapons to start playing like it’s supposed to, and there’s going to be a big question mark about what kind of shape Wisconsin is in.

However, this Wolverine team plays into Wisconsin’s style.

The Badgers held the ball for 43:28 against Illinois, and they’ll have it for at least 35 minutes in Ann Arbor. The Wisconsin running game might not be quite up to its normal snuff, but a good day from Mertz and a great day from the defense will make up for that.

Wisconsin vs Michigan Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 30, Michigan 23
Bet on Wisconsin vs Michigan with BetMGM
Wisconsin -4, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 4

5: Alex Trebek
1: “Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen.”

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