A checklist for Michigan Football to beat Wisconsin
Michigan football has struggled the last two weeks and here are a few things the Wolverines must do in order to beat Wisconsin Saturday night.
When it comes down to it, winning football games isn’t that hard. Most of the time, it’s about doing a few simple things better than the other guy and that’s what Michigan football needs to do against Wisconsin.
The Wolverines are going to have to play solid, fundamental football against the Badgers or it will be another tough game to win.
Even without its star defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye, Michigan football should have more than enough talent to hang with Wisconsin. Yet, the Wolverines are going to need to do to accomplish a few things to make that happen and here they are in form a checklist.
Win the time of possession battle
The Wolverines were able to do this against Minnesota but obviously not the last two weeks. And while Michigan wants to have a speed-in-space offense, you have to coach the team you have and U-M could desperately use some complimentary football.
That means attempting as much as possible to keep the football so the defense, which has struggled mightily in recent weeks, can stay off the field as much as possible.
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Without their best pass rushers, it’s hard to see how the Wolverines are going to stop Wisconsin. The Badgers will hit on some big plays but if Michigan can play keep away, it would help.
Win the turnover battle
This seems like a pretty basic thing but Michigan football has forced just one turnover in three games. That will need to change Saturday night as the defense will need to create one or two turnovers in order to win this game.
The past two weeks, this team has been going through the motions and the defense in particular, is lacking confidence. A couple of turnovers could be just what the doctor ordered and with Wisconsin playing for the first time in three weeks, so it could be a recipe for mistakes.
Run the ball respectably
Michigan football doesn’t have to come out and run for 200 yards to win this game, but it can’t be held for 13 yards on 18 carries. If that happens, this will be a Wisconsin win.
The offensive line has some moving parts with injuries to Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes but there is enough talent to figure it out. Ben Mason might need to play a bigger role and one of the running backs needs to get at least 10 carries.
Creating some explosive plays is another must for the Wolverines, because they are going to give up some defensively, but with Joe Milton and the backs, Michigan has to the run the ball and control the clock a little or a win will be hard to come by.