Enough Big Picture Talk, Lets Talk Badgers
Things have been so Rich Rod heavy the last couple of weeks that it may be time to get a little short sighted. Does Michigan have any f#%king chance to win this game? All signs point to no, primarily because the offensive powerhouse that blew through Ann Arbor on saturday managed a fat 000 against the Badgers. However, two things jump out at me. One, I have watched Wisconsin a lot this year and have not been very impressed, that is, with the exception of Purdue of course. And two, we actually beat this team last year. Yes, Michigan-the 2008 edition roughed up the Badgers just a year ago. Alright, maybe with got the benefit of a bounce or two, and maybe a friendly wistle or three, but who cares, we are actually the defending champion here I think Bielema feels kind of owned by Michigan thus far in his tenure. All the "high pointers" on the blog (and others of course), I want some input. Can we sneak one out here, or does Wisconsin have a special round in the chamber for us this year?
November 9th, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
is that Clay has a concussion. There is no way that Wisconsin can replace Clay with another giant, bowling ball type back. It's not like they have a roster full of them. (/sarcasm ... they totally do).
Who knows ... maybe if Wiscy doesn't throw the ball, we can focus on and actually stop their conventional running game.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
We know they will score, so is our team capable of putting up 38 points or more if necessary? I don't think we will get the ball enough, since the Badgers have that methodical, grinding offense that eats game clock.
One can still hope.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:40 PM ^
and Michigan can get up early, then we can take away the ground game, by making Wiscy pass the ball. I think we have a shot, and the team should be motivated. RR knows that a bowl game, any bowl game will be loved by the fans.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:54 PM ^
I'm all for getting up early, but under no circumstances should we be happy about teams passing the ball on us. You just know that Wisconsin will have a random TE running uncovered...
November 9th, 2009 at 4:40 PM ^
Given that defense has been least horrible against traditional run offenses, it'll be a match up of strength against strength (can I say strength? well, if not strength, at least not horrible gaping weakness).
Also, Wisconsin doesn't seem like the sort of team that'll blow UM out, so I think if Tate plays well, it'll be a game in the fourth quarter. The problem is that Tate has yet to really play well in a road game.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
I agree. I posted somewhere else that against MSU and Iowa (two "traditional" offenses), UM held them to relatively few yards (MSU was something like 120 yards minus that one Cousin scramble and Iowa to 87 yards), and this team has struggled with the short stuff and the ninja hand-offs that are simply not part of Wiscy's offense. I'm sure Clay will get his yards, but Wiscy lacks the WRs to really blow past UM like MSU and (to a lesser extent) Iowa had. I still think it will be a close game, but it will depend on how well the offense can run against the Wisconsin front 7 and if the passing game continues to show some improvements.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
Clay is playing this weekend.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:44 PM ^
UM 42 Wiskey 34
YES!!
November 9th, 2009 at 4:47 PM ^
I think Wisconsin will have more points at halftime than Michigan will score the rest of the season. So, no, I don't think Michigan has a chance. But I'll still tune in for my punishment just like I stuck with the hoops team throughout the dark years.
I'd like to argue the "point" that Wisconsin isn't built to blow a team like Michigan out, and maybe it isn't, but neither are Illinois or Purdue and that didn't prevent them from rolling U-M. Also, the 2007 decimation is still fresh in my mind; that Badger team seemed to find gobs of points easy to come by in 60 minutes.
To be clear, I'm not in panic mode about the big-picture stuff (though disappointed, along with everyone else). I'm comfortable giving Rodriguez four full years. I'm just not kidding myself about this ruined team's chances on Saturday.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
Clay's backup also dropped a hundred on Indiana, and he supposedly has 4.44 speed. Ha! We'll pound them into the ground.
[/relentless optimism]
November 9th, 2009 at 5:08 PM ^
Do badgers also build dams, or just beavers? I forget.
There's one thing we do know that the two animals definitely do NOT have in common. I won't spell it out, so I'll just leave it at we've never seen a Britney Spears "badger shot"; although considering where she's from, some people may have seen a badger Britney Spears shot. Regardless, "badger run over" might be more likely to yield dinner.
The End.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:11 PM ^
EZMIKEP....42-34? Is that final score prediction or total penalty yards per team?
November 9th, 2009 at 5:14 PM ^
If they run this scheme, consider Tate screwed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyixC9NsLI
November 9th, 2009 at 5:17 PM ^
and thanks for not blasting me on addition v. edition. This error has not been corrected.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:18 PM ^
but my gut tells me that The Beast is going to kill someone this game. Whether it's Tolzien, Clay's backup or somebody else, someone will get KO'd.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^
Badgers? We don't need no stinking Badgers!
November 9th, 2009 at 5:44 PM ^
I don't like Wsiconsins offense and I think we can contain them like we did last year, hopefully they can't catch the ball again this year. our offense will score, I hope. We can win this. Besides I want to be bowl eligible, damn it.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:55 PM ^
Let's pray for sunny skies and 50 plus degrees.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:51 PM ^
Michigan has never lost a game I have attended home/away/bowl/NCAA’s in any sport. I keep trying to parlay this into a being paid to attend games. (FWIW over 20 games) In prep for my marathon next weekend, my buddy who is originally from Mad-town and is running with me is taking me to Camp Randall for the game. (it only leaves IL and NW for Big Ten Stadiums)
So if the trend continues, Michigan will get a win….and I expect a job as a anti-cooler
November 9th, 2009 at 7:45 PM ^
if this works, ill throw in a 5 spot for an OSU ticket for you
November 9th, 2009 at 7:44 PM ^
Our defense does play its best against offenses that are mind-meltingly simple. Enter Wisconsin. Now there will be the obligatory 60+ yard catch, cause we can't go a game without em, but if we can hold their rushing attack under 125 yards or so we have a shot.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:43 PM ^
I'd like to think that the team will be fired up from everyone in the nation, including their fans, from counting them out. Hopefully the seniors can get this team going.