After a two-week hiatus, the Wisconsin Badgers get ready to take on the Michigan Wolverines. It is a primetime showdown pitting two of the best Big Ten programs against each other. Wisconsin is looking to put themselves back into the College Football Playoff conversation. With a win on Saturday, a case could be made for the Badgers bolt back up the polls despite Michigan’s struggles. But this game is a complete unknown. Wisconsin kept things close to the vest of who will play and who will not. The answers will bare out on Saturday night.

STORYLINES I CARE ABOUT
1. Graham Mertz and his ability to start – Odds are that Graham Mertz will be the starting quarterback for Wisconsin. For those wondering about the 21-day rule, Mertz tested positive for COVID-19 three Fridays ago. Mertz looked amazing against a hapless Illinois team three weeks ago. We’ll see if the same is true for Michigan. Their defense isn’t good, but they have more talent than Illinois.

2. Michigan’s last stand – People are shitting on Michigan like they’re getting canceled on Twitter, but it might too much at this point. Questions are being raised if Jim Harbaugh will lose his job or leave for an NFL situation that suits him better. All of this is unknown at this point. But it feels like an overreaction to the last two weeks. Michigan still has talent, and this might end up as a statement game for the Wolverines.

3. Wisconsin’s ability to run the football – The weird thing about the game three Fridays ago was the Badgers’ inability to run the football. They used three guys, but none of them seemed to rise to the occasion. Who will be the guy for Wisconsin? We Will see if Garrett Groshek, Nakita Watson, or Issac Guerrero step up for the Badgers.

4. Joe Milton is not Brandon Peters – With all the struggles that Brandon Peters had against the Badgers defense, it is hard to expect the same thing for Joe Milton. He has been stellar in his first three games for the Wolverines. Milton could test Wisconsin’s defense early and often. Don’t be surprised if he takes a few shots early on.

PREDICTION
Part of me wants to pick Michigan. The reason being is that Michigan tends to respond in games such as this one. They show up for these games and don’t expect to win as they did for Michigan State. Paul Chryst and Wisconsin had a great game plan for Michigan last year though and likely has been preparing for this one for the last two weeks. Wisconsin edges out Michigan in a very close, exciting game. Wisconsin 28 Michigan 27.

Charlie.