UW’S NEXT OPPONENT: MICHIGAN
MADISON - Wisconsin will try to keep its recent success against Michigan going when the Badgers (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) face the Wolverines (5-1, 3-0) at 6:30 p.m. in Ann Arbor, Mich.
UW has won three of the last four matchups, the only blip a 14-7 loss at Michigan Stadium in 2016. Going back further, the Badgers are 5-3 against the Wolverines since a six-game losing streak in the series from 1997-2002. Michigan’s lone loss this season came against Notre Dame, 24-17, in the season opener.
Here is a breakdown of the Wolverines.
OFFENSE
Michigan has a well-balanced unit, averaging 199.8 yards on the ground and 220.8 yards in the air.
Junior Shea Patterson has provided stability at quarterback. He played two seasons at Mississippi before transferring to Michigan. He is coming off a 282-yard, three-touchdown performance against Maryland. Patterson’s 68.8% completion percentage is 16th in the nation. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes in six games — one more than the team’s three quarterbacks combined for all of last season.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (five touchdown catches) has shown great chemistry with Patterson and could be trouble for UW’s decimated secondary.
Running back Karan Higdon averages 116.4 rushing yards per game and coach Jim Harbaugh has been using fullback/ tailback hybrid Ben Mason in creative ways in recent games.
After struggling iagainst Notre Dame, the Wolverines’ offensive line has given up just five sacks in five games.
DEFENSE
The Wolverines lead the nation in total defense (230.5 yards per game) and pass defense (134 yards per game) and have held five of six opponents to their lowest yardage total of the season. They have playmakers all over the field and Don Brown is one of the most respected coordinators in college football.
Senior defensive lineman Chase Winovich is averaging 1.8 tackles for loss per game. The Wolverines have 52 tackles for loss, with 20 different players notching one.
Defensive lineman Rashan Gary was a preseason All-American but he sat out against Maryland with a shoulder injury. He is expected to play against Wisconsin.
The defense also has 16 sacks, with 10 different players taking down the quarterback. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson has settled down after two ejections for targeting earlier in the season. He is coming off his best game with a sack and two tackles for loss against Maryland. Defensive backs Josh Metellus and Brandon Watson each have two interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Wolverines are 10th nationally in net punting (42.56 average). Will Hart has a booming leg and is averaging 51.7 yards per punt.
Kicker Quinn Norden is 8 of 9 on field goals and has made seven straight. Ambry Thomas has a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown this season and Peoples-Jones returned a punt 60 yards for a score against Nebraska.