Michigan poses toughest test yet for No. 5 Wisconsin

MADISON, WIS. » A Big Ten game with high stakes may be decided in the trenches.

No. 19 Michigan’s defensive front can swarm a backfield. No. 5 Wisconsin’s offensive line likes to push people around, and it’s only getting better with each game. gers (10-0, 7-0, CFP No. 5) out of the College Football Playoff picture with a win on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

“There is great speed to it and quickness,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said about the Michigan defense.

“It’s going to take every guy to make it work, whether that’s running the football or protecting the quarterback.”

Michigan’s defense ranks first in the Big Ten in thirddown conversions (23.7 percent), pass defense (144.5 yards per game) and tackles for loss (8.4 per game). Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst can blow up plays at the line of scrimmage. Five Michigan opponents have been held to less than 200 yards of total offense.

With three straight convincing wins since a humiliating loss at Penn State, linebacker Mike McCray said, the Wolverines have regained their confidence.

“We went through a little bit of adversity. We know we can fight through that adversity. Since then, we’re closer together,” McCray said.

What they don’t have is the kind of clear path to the playoff that lies ahead for Wisconsin.

The Badgers’ task is simple:

Win the last two regularseason games, plus the Big Ten title game, and the playoff committee will be hardpressed to keep out an undefeated team from a power conference school.