Wisconsin finally got a little respect in the College Football Playoff poll being bumped up to number five. They have a big opponent coming to town with Michigan as well as ESPN’s College Gameday and FOX’s lead crew of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt. All eyes are on Wisconsin. This is their time to show the college football world that they belong with the top teams in the country. Can the Badgers take advantage or will the reborn Michigan play the role of spoiler?

Jonathan Taylor will have a chance to go off in this one
Michigan is a top ten rushing defense in the country. They’re known for some freaks in their front seven, but they are susceptible to the big play on the ground. We saw some long runs from Penn State’s Saquon Barkley earlier this season as well as athletic quarterbacks have some big carries as well. Why is that? Michigan loves to gamble on big plays. This plays into Jonathan Taylor’s style of a hesitation and letting blockers develop holes. Trust me when I say Taylor breaks one and ends up rushing for 100 plus yards.

What does Wisconsin’s defense have for an encore?
After last week, people took notice of the Wisconsin defense. They were already considered one of the best in the country, and the Iowa game enforced their point. They allowed zero points and dominated all game long. Michigan comes to town half wounded half inspired. They finally have a quarterback with Brandon Peters, but their backfield is banged up heading into this one. I get the Peters love, but who is your favorite opponent that Peters beat? Rutgers? Maryland? I’m not sold on Peters yet.

Alex Hornibrook and Taylor need to keep their turnovers at a minimum
The biggest concern that could rear its ugly head tomorrow afternoon is the Badgers turnover problem. Alex Hornibrook is a first half disaster. All of his badness comes in the first half for the most part, and honestly if I’m Paul Chyrst, I’m about as conservative as I can be with him early on. Keep the opportunities to turn the ball over to almost none. With a Michigan team that loves to gamble, they’re going to try and strip Taylor from the start of the game until the final whistle. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more Bradrick Shaw to limit the chances for fumbling especially if it does happen early on. I think it’d be foolish to not expect one turnover.

Prediction
I’m taking Wisconsin in this one. Michigan looked good in the last three weeks, but I’m not convinced they can compete with the upper echelon in college football. They do not have enough offense to beat the Badgers. Taylor rips off one or two big runs that prove to be the difference. Wisconsin 16-10

Charlie.