Free Pick: Michigan (4-0) at Wisconsin (1-2) 10/2/21

Michigan comes into this one with a 4-0 record and are off to a great start. They head into Madison for their first road trip of the season. The Badgers are battered and bruised and are coming off their second loss of the young season falling to Notre Dame. They drop to 1-2 and would seem to be at a crossroad for the rest of the season.

Scouting Michigan:

Quarterback: The Wolverines are led by Cade McNamara who has done a credible job. His stats are average, (33 completions in 53 attempts, for 534 yards, with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Can he step up and make some plays against the stout Wisconsin defense that will stop the run?

Running Backs: Blake Corum (475 yards for 7 touchdowns), and Hassan Haskins (322 yards and 6 touchdowns), have been a great one-two punch. Michigan likes to run the ball and if they can have success they probably win the game.

Wide Receivers: When Michigan throws the ball, the leading receiver is Cornelius Johnson who has caught 8 passes for 198 yards. Daylen Baldwin and Erick All are complimentary targets also.

Defense: The Michigan defense has been dominant and are allowing only 199 total yards per game. Linebackers, Josh Ross (29 tackles), and Nikhai-Hill Greene (18 tackles) along with defensive lineman, Aiden Hutchinson who has recorded 4.5 sacks, has completely stopped their opponents run game. The secondary has been rock solid, led by RJ Moten and Daxton Hill, who have 36 tackles between them.

Scouting Wisconsin:

Quarterback: Graham Mertz has struggled at quarterback and has thrown 6 costly interceptions and only 1 touchdown. He has got to play better and Michigan’s defense is not going to make it easy.

Running Backs: Chez Mellusi is the leading rusher with 319 yards but Notre Dame held him to 54 yards. Isaac Guerendo has chipped in 153 yards. If Wisconsin can’t run the ball they are in trouble.

Wide Receivers: Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor have combined for 27 catches and 327 yards and have been competent targets for Mertz.

Defense: Wisconsin has been very good on defense, as usual, and they are especially great at stopping the run. They don’t have any standouts; they are just solid everywhere.

On paper, this is two teams with great defenses, and pedestrian offenses. They both want to run the ball and they both have great defense against the run. Whoever, can make some plays throwing the ball, probably wins. Depending on what book you use, Wisconsin in a 1 point favorite.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS PICK: Michigan +1 Confidence Level 5 out of 10