Wisconsin @ Michigan preview
Michigan Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Michigan 24, Wisconsin 45
Just one week after scoring 83 points, the most by a Big Ten team in a conference game since 1950, Wisconsin is bracing for another shootout, this time against offense-minded Michigan.
No. 5 Wisconsin (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) scored on all 12 of its offensive possessions against Indiana and produced its most points since an 85-0 win over Marquette in 1915. The Badgers are liable to run up against some stiffer competition against Michigan (7-3, 3-3) and there’s no question that both teams like to see those scoreboard lights flicker. Wisconsin ranks second in the Big Ten with a 40.2 point average, while Michigan ranks third at 37.7 points. This one isn’t likely to be a defensive struggle.
Wisconsin’s James White was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his effort against Indiana, the third time he’s picked up that award. With starters John Clay, the Big Ten’s reigning offensive player of the year, out with an injury (he could be ready this week against Michigan), White picked up the slack. He carried 19 times for 144 yards, one shy of his personal best set against Austin Peay in September, and scored two touchdowns. White now has 714 yards and 11 touchdowns. And if the conference had a sophomore of the week, that honor might have gone to Wisconsin’s Montee Ball, who ran 22 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Ball has 312 yards and six scores in the last three games.
Michigan’s offense revolves around quarterback Denard Robinson, who set the school single-season record for total yards against Purdue. He had 244 yards, giving him 3,407. Robinson, who has rushed for 1,417 yards, needs 78 rushing yards to set the NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback. But he rotated with Tate Forcier at quarterback against Purdue, leaving many to believe Forcier will play a bigger role for the remainder of the season.
The Michigan defense is coming off its best performance, a 27-16 win over Purdue. The Wolverines didn’t allow and offensive touchdown and forced five turnovers. This came despite the absence of two of its top players — tackle Mike Martin (ankle) and linebacker Jonas Mouton (chest injury). James Rogers had a career-best two interceptions against Purdue and Craig Roh, who moved from linebacker to end, caused a fumble which led to a 58-yard fumble return by Cameron Gordon.
Michigan leads the series 49-13-1, but Wisconsin won last year’s game 45-24. Both teams are bowl eligible, but Wisconsin needs to win in order to remain in the hunt for the Rose Bowl or national championship game.