Wisconsin question
Brian likes Hornibrook and that’s fine but, I watched Wisconsin play WKU and their receivers struggled to get separation for large stretches of the game. It looks like Wisconsin relies on the run game just softening up the defense until they break and then they start to pull away.
With Michigan’s two deep and our excellent man coverage, are we in better shape than we thought?
I’m legitimately curious on others’ opinions and I know the game is a few weeks out. It just looks like things are starting to come together for us.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:08 PM ^
Biggest issue I see projecting MSU is that their 2 biggest weaknesses might be shored up when we face them. They will have Josiah Scott back and should have their OL in tact. We probably would have had a much better chance if we played them early this year. Plus Dantonio will have his typical UM voodoo. We will have a tough time running on them again, and will need to have Patterson hit some downfield throws in order to win. We were not able to do that last year. It’s going to be another down to the wire game. With them being at home that worries me. Hope I’m wrong.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
If UM loses to MSU this year it will be because Dantonio is a better coach than Harbaugh. MSU is only average, talent wise, so if JH cannot win with a better roster than that's on him.
September 24th, 2018 at 2:58 PM ^
All correct.
Plus what about the weather?
Not sure who would have the disadvantage in a strong rain this year.
M probably would have to throw a lot more than in recent weeks to win against MSU's run stopping D.
But the MSU run game is bad, so they also would have to move the ball through the air.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
I think a tough game but I like our chances vs wisc.
I know what the board thinks of PSU and Franklin but they keep putting up 60 point games. Outside of OSU I am most worried about penn state.
Think we have a GREAT chance vs Staee this year.
September 24th, 2018 at 5:06 PM ^
If not for a meltdown of epic proportions, PSU wouldn’t have scored anywhere near 60 this past weekend. They were only ahead of Illinois (yep, that Illinois) 28-24 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Then, for some reason, Illinois forgot how to play football and PSU outscored then by 5 touchdowns in the 4th quarter alone! They turned a 28-24 close game into a 35 point ass kicking. That wasn’t PSU having an amazing offense, it was Illinois remembering they are Illinois in the 4th quarter
September 24th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
The Big Payback
is coming.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
Very good offensive line and running backs. Their offense is not explosive. They don't look like they'd be good trying to play catch up.
Their defense is ok but not impressive. I think a good passing team could have their way with their secondary.
If our D line can withstand the ground and pound, I really like our chances. Getting an early lead will go a long way too.
September 24th, 2018 at 2:38 PM ^
"Very good offensive line and running backs. Their offense is not explosive. They don't look like they'd be good trying to play catch up."
I mean, that's basically every Wisconsin offense that I can remember. They always have a decent to good OL and most of us can probably name at least a few of the Wisconsin RBs over the years that have steamrolled a team or two. They've never been nearly as efficient when working from behind though, and they aren't designed to be a team that can make quick strikes and get back into games if they are in that situation. An early lead would be huge.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:40 PM ^
It seems clear that Wisconsin's defense at least has taken a step back compared to 2017. Iowa managed some absurdly low yardage last year but was able to rack up over 400 this past weekend. And there's no way BYU puts up that many points in Madison last year.
Wisconsin's offense looks like it always does.
Michigan's defense is tracking as being roughly equivalent to last year's defense but might be susceptible to wearing down if Solomon is not healthy by that point.
Michigan's offense is a step up from last year even if McCaffrey is at the helm.
Prediction: Michigan will be favored and should win at home.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
Michigan will be the most athletic team/best team speed Wisconsin will have faced to that point.
I have no idea how good the Iowa pass game is (I'd guess only average) but I think UM can do some things in air against Wisconsin. Iowa was very effective. I like our WR's and TE's vs. their defenders.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
Any idea on game time? When will it be announced?
September 24th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
It will be announced either 12 or 6 days prior when the TV networks decide. I'd put money on it being a night game seeing as at least 1 of the WI and PSU games have to be a night game, possibly both.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:20 PM ^
I heard from UM staff at a tailgate after the Neb game that WI game will be at 7pm.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
Hornibrook is like Lewerke in a couple of ways. Experienced, played in a bunch of games. Can be very accurate when hot but both can throw too many interceptions. Lewerke is a better runner of course and has the stronger arm.
Both seem to save their best for Michigan. They are dangerous.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:06 PM ^
Unless Michigan announces it as their night game (which I don't think it will since it sounds like that is reserved for PSU), I don't think it'll be announced until maybe a week to a week and a half before. So my guess is we won't know until the middle or end of next week.
My guess is 3:30 on ABC or FS1. Unless its rivalry week, the TV networks usually like to always put ranked matchups at night or late afternoon.
September 24th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
We are contractually obligated to have 1 night game this year. We can have up to 2 if the networks decide they want a second one and there's nothing we can do about it.
September 24th, 2018 at 5:51 PM ^
Hornibrook is way less of a run threat than Lewerke. Also, arm strength is vastly overrated, but Hornibrook's lack of zip of his throws jumps off the screen. He's got great touch and accuracy, but at the same time, leaving the ball up in the air that long on anything over 10 yards is going to be dangerous against our secondary.
If the offense can get anything going against their D, I'm not really worried about their offense that much. Hornibrook is dangerous in the sense if you don't put them away, he can connect on a bomb or two to swing a low scoring defensive duel, but not in the consistently light you up for a bunch of points kind of way.
September 24th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
Hornibrook made some pretty impressive throws against Iowa the other night, as well as against us last year. He's now capable of winning a game for Wisconsin and not just "hand it off to Taylor and not screw things up." I'd probably peg them as slight underdogs now if the game was played today, but they are certainly capable of beating us in a few weeks.
I see both defenses largely halting the other team's offenses. The question will be the same this year as it was in 2016. Which team can make the fewest mistakes? Do any turnovers lead to a short field for the other team?
This will be a game where if we want to win, Shea is going to have to be the man to make it happen. He's going to have to be "the guy." There's only so much I think we can reasonably expect from Higdon that night, given how our OL is still very much a work in progress, and Wisconsin's defense is pretty damn good.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^
Hornibrook was the difference and made the most positive impact for Wisconsin. He didn't throw a pick, which is huge for him, especially against a very D like Iowa. Otherwise, the Hawks beat themselves. Those stupid punt plays gave the ball right back to Wisconsin just as Iowa was picking up momentum.
On the podcast Brian said this was an ugly game but it was not. It was actually very well-played - it was the best Iowa has played in a long time. Wisconsin pulled away at the end and found a way to win the game because they're seasoned and focused. They're going to be a real tough out.
To your point - Wisconsin's receivers weren't too great.. Iowa also bottled up Taylor for the most part - he didn't seem to have too many big plays (Iowa also held ISU's Montgomery - another great RB - largely in check). If the line can get pressure on Hornibrook and force him into mistakes then Michigan should be in good shape.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:17 PM ^
It's at home and UW's run defense looks weak enough as to cancel out the running game advantage they normally have.
I like our D to be the deciding factor in the end.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^
Hornibrook is trash... He probably has the weakest arm of most QBs I’ve seen ..slow wind up and delivery , decent accuracy every time I watch him pass I feel as if it should be a INT ... If Wisconsin had a better QB they could be much better IMO
September 24th, 2018 at 2:45 PM ^
Wisconsin question: Cheese or extra cheese?
September 24th, 2018 at 3:34 PM ^
People scoffed at me saying they were 2017 Michigan with a better offensive line. I think 2017 Michigan beats 2018 BYU at home. I thought Wisconsin, Sparty, and Penn State were overrated. PSU not as much as the other two. I thought Sparty would get bowl eligible but not much more. Wisconsin will have a decent record playing in the west, but in the B1G championship, they will most likely not stand a chance.
September 24th, 2018 at 6:43 PM ^
I watched the Wisconsin-Iowa game. On Wisconsin's last TD, I think, a Wisconsin player scored on an end-around. The Iowa linebacker took a real bad angle and got beat to the sideline. I thought to myself, that's a play Devin Bush makes. Very few other MLBs make that play.
Wisconsin's linemen are huge, but I don't think we'll get worn out. Mone and Kemp are going to be key, but you know that already. Hopefully, we get a lead and force Hornibrook to throw.