Week 11: Michigan at Wisconsin

A year ago, the Wolverines handed Wisconsin its only loss, 27-13. The Badgers created three turnovers in that contest and yet were unable to capitalize. Mike Hart was held in check for much of the game, but in the second half he began to find open lanes. Keeping Hart under wraps will again be the challenge for Wisconsin. Against Michigan State, Hart returned to the lineup after a two week break and had success (110 yards on 15 carries). Whether the Wolverines plan to up Hart’s workload in this game is unknown. The team may have little choice, though, as that is the safest place for the football in front of a hostile Camp Randall crowd.

Wisconsin also would like nothing more than to keep the ball secure on the ground all afternoon, but its backfield is in rough shape. Stud P.J. Hill missed last week’s game and his status for Saturday is still somewhat up in the air. Last year Hill was the Badgers’ best offense against Michigan (118 yards from scrimmage, one touchdown).

Said coach Bret Bielema of his star back’s status, “really, it’s on P.J. Whenever P.J. feels he can come back. I know last week, he was frustrated, and just wasn’t able to push off, and actually regressed a little bit at the end of the week from where he was earlier.”

If he cannot go, the team will turn to quick-footed sophomore Lance Smith and true freshman Zach Brown, who carried 20 times in last week’s loss to Ohio State.

Michigan’s defense has proved tolerable of opposing backs in recent weeks (Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall gained 85 yards and last week Javon Ringer had 128). Those backs, however, are better than Smith, Brown and a banged-up Hill.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s passing attack has been at its best this past month. Quarterback Chad Henne threw four touchdowns in the win over Michigan State, and he has total confidence in throwing the ball to wide receiver Mario Manningham, especially near the goal line. The Badgers will try to pair cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu with Manningham, same as the team did to neutralize James Hardy of Indiana. Last year Manningham had a big day against the Wisconsin secondary (seven catches for 113 yards and two scores).

With a healthy crew, Wisconsin would be more than capable of knocking off a Michigan squad ripe for a letdown. But in its current state, we don’t see Bielema’s squad pulling it off this weekend.

Michigan by 6