Michigan rushing offense vs. Wisconsin

The Wolverines still, somehow, lead the Big Ten in rushing yards.

But this week in Wisconsin, Michigan faces a much better rush defense — one that isn't ranked in the bottom three of the conference.

And with senior running back Brandon Minor, the Wolverines' most consistent back, likely limited with a shoulder bruise and high ankle sprain, Michigan's rush attack will come down to senior Carlos Brown, sophomore Michael Shaw and freshman Vincent Smith.

The wild card will be freshman quarterback Denard Robinson. Against Purdue, Robinson lined up at running back for one play and would have had a lot of field in front of him if every player had blocked his assignment, according to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

For Michigan to make an impact on the ground, it's going to have to do more than just block well. With Minor limited, the Wolverines' fast group of backs are going to have play much more physically against a hard-hitting Badger defense.

Edge: Even

Michigan passing offense vs. Wisconsin

After leading multiple game-winning drives in the beginning of the season, freshman quarterback Tate Forcier finally looks human.

Before the Purdue game, he went four games without throwing a touchdown. Over that same span, Forcier turned the ball over seven times.

Though it looked like he had reversed that trend during the first half against the Boilermakers, the Michigan passing offense struggled to take off once Purdue switched to primarily zone coverage.

Sure, the Wolverines do much better running the ball, but if Forcier can't keep the Wisconsin pass defense (which has 12 interceptions) honest, then Michigan will have its hands full.

Edge: Wisconsin

Michigan rushing defense vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin boasts the Big Ten’s best rushing offense, an enormous offensive line and a bruising tailback, John Clay, who has a predilection for running over linebackers.

None of that bodes well for the Michigan defense.

The Wolverines’ rush defense is a sieve, ranking 80th nationally at 158 yards per game. And to add to that, the middle linebacker situation — walk-on Kevin Leach has started the last two games over veteran Obi Ezeh — may get even more confusing by game’s end.

The Badgers, who rank fifth nationally in time of possession, can eat up the clock and keep the hot-and-cold Michigan offense off the field. That means this could be a very painful game to watch for the maize-and-blue faithful.

Edge: Wisconsin

Michigan passing defense vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a traditional Big Ten team — play smashmouth football, control the clock and bleed out a win. This should mean that the Michigan secondary can hold its own.

But anyone who has watched a Michigan game this year knows differently.

The Wolverines rank 83rd in the country against the pass — and once-stalwart Donovan Warren isn’t progressing as much this season as many NFL Draft experts would have liked.

The Wisconsin offense passes for less than 200 yards per game. But expect some passing lanes to be open — especially when the Wolverines cheat up to slow down Clay.

Edge: Wisconsin

Special Teams

Michigan’s kickoff unit returned to form last weekend, breaking a few returns to midfield and giving the offense great field position.

And the Wolverines still have Zoltan Mesko, one of the best punters in the country.

If kicker Jason Olesnavage can overcome missing a kick and a PAT last week, Michigan should have the upper hand in the category.

Edge: Michigan

Intangibles

Since the start of the 2004 season, Wisconsin has been nearly unbeatable at home.

The Badgers have a 35-4 at Camp Randall Stadium, winning by an average of nearly 16 points.

On top of that, the home team in the Michigan-Wisconsin series has won the last five years.

Even with Michigan fighting for bowl eligibility, it's hard not to give Wisconsin the edge here. After all, one of the Wolverines' three wins last year came against a ninth-ranked Badgers team. The 19-point comeback is surely still in the back of Wisconsin's mind.

Edge: Wisconsin

Score: Wisconsin 31, Michigan 17