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September 27, 2008 - Football Saturday - 3B
6B8- Football Saturday - September 27, 2008
A DOZEN BOLD PREDICTIONS
FOR MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
Breaking down
the Badgers
Michigan
depth chart vs.
Wisconsin
By COURTNEY RATKOWIAK
and NATE SANDALS
Daily Sports Editors
Michigan rushing offense vs.
Wisconsin rushing defense
By now, it'd be an understate-
ment to say freshman running
back Sam McGuffie is on every-
one's radar. He leads the team
with an average of 71 rushing
yards per game, with the next-best
Michiganrunningback(freshman
Michael Shaw) averaging just 17
rushing yards per game.
The Wisconsin defense has
struggled to make tackles, espe-
cially during its 13-10 win against
Fresno State two weeks ago.
Though the Badgers have had two
weeks to focus on tackles, they
may have an issue with McGuff-
ie's speed.
If McGuffie continues his mete-
oric rise, expect the Wolverines to
easily win this battle.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan passing offense vs.
Wisconsin passing defense
Now that redshirt freshman
quarterback Steven Threet has
claimed the starting spot, he
should come out with a little more
swagger. His play has improved
every game, and that shouldn't
stop against the Badgers.
And with wide receiver Greg
Mathews back in action after hav-
ing two weeks to recover from
his injured ankle, the Michigan
offense could show more than just
flashes of potential.,
But for now, the Wolverines are
dead last in the Big Ten in total
yards and points per game.
Wisconsin's defense has
allowed its opponents to convert
on over 44 percent of third downs
this season, which could continue
to be an issue.
Its secondary is respectable
but not spectacular - but it may
not need to be to stifle Michigan's
already-shaky passing game.
Edge: Wisconsin
Wisconsin rushing offense
vs. Michigan rushing defense
The Badgers still: play old-
school, smashmouth Big Ten foot-
ball. With bruising running back
P.J. Hill and a big, experienced
offensive line, Wisconsin's run
offense presents a big challenge
for Michigan's defensive front.
If any Big Ten team can stop
Wisconsin's ground game, Michi-
gan could be it. The Wolverines
rank second in the conference in
run defense.
Wisconsin may have the upper
hand early in the game, but the
experience and conditioning of
Michigan's front four should
shine in the second half.
Edge: Push
Wisconsin passing offense
vs. Michigan passing defense
Wisconsin's excellenttight end,
Travis Beckum, could pose a big
matchup problem for the Wolver-
ines. Beckum has the speed and
route-running abilities of a wide
receiver and none of Michigan's
linebackers can cover him alone.
Expect the Wolverines to put
a linebacker underneath Beckum
with safety help over the top. That
strategy might contain Beckum to
a point, but it will put a lot of pres-
sure on Michigan's cornerbacks to
handle Wisconsin's wide receiv-
ers alone on the outside.
Beckum will play a huge role in
this game, and that's not a good
thing for Michigan.
Edge: Wisconsin
Special teams
Redshirt junior punter Zoltan
Mesko has continued to be strong
for the Wolverines all season, and
-his reliability shouldn't be com-
promised against the Badgers.
But the Wolverines' obvious
question mark on special teams is
kick returns.
After a fumble-ridden per-
formance against Notre Dame,
Rodriguez has tried putting six
different players on kick returns
dtsringpracticethisweek. Return-
ing the ball has clearly been a
point of emphasis in practice, and
the Wolverines will be looking to
redeem themselves.
Wisconsin has a very good kick
returner in David Gilreath, who
is averaging almost 30 yards per
return with a season long of 63
yards.
Overall, the Badgers simply
have an advantage on special
teams because they are solid.
The same can't yet be said about
Michigan.
Edge: Wisconsin
Intangibles
It's hard to give either team
an advantage from the bye week,
but Michigan should see a big-
ger jump in improvement just
because it is on a steeper learning
curve in the new system.
The Big House crowd will play
a role but won't decide the game.
Maybe seeing Michael Phelps
on the field before the game will
inspire the Wolverines to "go for
the gold."
Edge: Michigan
Wisconsin wins, 21-17
OFFENSE
1. Threet, Steven Redshirt freshman
Q 2. Sheridan, Nick Redshirt sophomore
B 1. McGuffie, Sam Freshman
2. Shaw, Michael Freshman
1. Moundros, Marl Redshirt sophomore
2. Helmuth, Vince Sophomore
R 1 Mathews, Greg Junior
2. Savoy, LaTerryal Redshirtjunior
W R 1. Stonum, Darryl Freshman-
2. Hemingway, Junior Sophomore
SLOT 1Odoms, Martavious Freshman
2. Clemons, Toney Sophomore
1. Massey, Mike Senior
Ser, Carson Junior
LT 1 Ortmann, Mark Redshirt tunior
2. Nowicki, Bryant Sophomore
LG 1. Ferrara, John Redshirt sophomore
2. Barnum, Ricky Freshman
l. Molk, David Redshirt freshman
2. McAvoy, Tim Redshirt tunior
RG 1. Moosman, David Redshirtjunior
2. Huyge, Mark Redshirt freshman
F SchillingStephen Redshirt sophomore
2.Omameh, Patrick Freshman
DEFENSE
1. Jamison, Tim Fifth-year senior
2. Banks, Greg Redshirt sophomore
D T 1. Johnson, Will Fifth-year senior
2. Sagesse, Renaldo Sophomore
N T 1.Taylor, Terrance Senior
2. Martin, Mike Freshman
D E 1. Graham, Brandon Junior
2. Van Bergen, Ryan Redshirt freshman
L 1. Thompson, John Fifth-year senior
SL 2. Evans, Marell Sophomore
M L 1. Ezeh, Obi Redshirt sophomore
M L 2. Thompson, John Fifth-year senior
WL Mouton, Jonas Redshirt sophomore
2. Panter Austin Senior
C 1. Trent, Morgan Fifth-year senior
2. Woolfolk, Troy Sophomore
PS 1. Brown, Stevie Junior
2. Williams, Mike Redshirt freshman
SS 1. Harrison, Brandon Senior
2. Stewart, Charles Fifth-year senior
RC 1. Warren, Donovan Sophomore
2.Cissoko, Boubacar Freshman
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SPECIAL TEAMS
K -P KR
1. Lopata, K.C. 1. Mesko, Zoltan 1. Trent, Morgan
Fifth-year senior Redshirt junior Fifth-year senior
2. Gingell, Jason 2. Wright, Bryan 2. Harrison, Brandon
Fifth-year senior Redshirt sophomore Senior
PR
1 Warren, Donovan
Sophomore
2. Odoms, Martavious
Freshman
Note: Depth chart as predicted by Daily football writers.