Michigan Football: 3 Keys to beating Wisconsin Badgers

3. Win the Turnover Battle

Michigan football has turned the ball over zero times through four games. By contrast, Wisconsin has seven turnovers. Yikes.

The Wolverine defense has been amazing through the first few weeks, and a complete and utter overhaul of the disaster we saw last year. But, they are lacking in one department. And that is forcing turnovers. Could there be a better team to fix this flaw against?

We talked earlier about how much Graham Mertz has struggled. Well, the running game isn’t much better either. The Badgers have put the ball on the turf four times this year, and only recovered two of them.

So not only is Mertz’ a liability in the passing game with his turnover streak, but the run game as we mentioned is as well. For the Wolverines to win this game they need to get after the ball. Mertz will be forcing the ball into tight windows and the defensive line should hold up in the run game.

Mike Macdonald has done a great job thus far and will no doubt be coaching the Wolverine-D up on how to punch the ball out, and emphasize that this week in practice.

One of these has to give this week. Either Graham Mertz and the Wisconsin offense have to suddenly find themselves, or the Michigan defense continues to smother opponents as they have all year. Create takeaways and this game won’t be close.

That’s why winning the turnover battle is our last key to beating Wisconsin.