AM -- T U U U U 0 0 0 a 0 0 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 CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY'S PAPER? GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIVE GAME BLOG AND ONLINE UPDATES. 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.