Michigan Football: 3 Reasons Wolverines will beat the Badgers
By Josh LaFond
![From left, Michigan players include defensive back German Green (33), defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sing the fight song to celebrate victory with student fans Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 after winning 47-14 over Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. From left, Michigan players include defensive back German Green (33), defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sing the fight song to celebrate victory with student fans Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 after winning 47-14 over Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c15122ad066c3aa9537d2ec0c61a3974481498423088a9bfbcdcc060461424ff.jpg)
Michigan football’s first “must win” game of 2021 was against the Washington Huskies. Now, this Saturday, they do battle against Wisconsin in their next red letter game. This time against the Wisconsin Badgers. Michigan has no room for error and has to leave Madison, Wisconsin with a win — what would be their first since 2001.
The Michigan Wolverines enter the game Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers 4-0, seeking their fifth win of the season. As we said at the outset, this is a must-win game. Sure, I know, every game is a “must win” game. But this game, well, it’s different.
Following a 41-13 bludgeoning last week against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Wisconsin is reeling. They stand at a disappointing 1-2 and with one loss already in Big Ten play — coming week one at home against Penn State — they’re getting close to being out of the division title conversation before we hit the midway point.
Issues with their offense across the board, from Graham Mertz and the passing attack, the absence of the typical Badger staple rushing game, and a litany of other woes have Paul Chryst and company searching for answers. Michigan football has to pounce on them and find a way to win.
In fact, after getting embarrassed in last year’s battle 49-11, Michigan football needs to, has to win this game. For revenge, for pride, to reach the goals that they have laid out before them there’s no alternative to walking out of Camp Randall Stadium victorious.
Here’s three reasons why that will happen.