Wisconsin Football: 6 Keys to Victory against Michigan

If the Wisconsin Football team is going to start the season 3-0, these are six keys to coming away with the win this weekend against Michigan.

The Wisconsin Football team is off to an incredibly dominating start to the 2019 season as they sit at 2-0 and have outscored their opponents a combined 110-0. However, coming off of their bye, they have their first real test of the season as the 11th overall Michigan Wolverines make their way to Camp Randall.

While Michigan enters the game at 2-0 as well, they certainly haven’t had the same dominating performances that Wisconsin has had. In fact, many are already concerned that the Wolverines won’t live up to the lofty expectations that were set for them prior to the season.

Yet, this is still a very talented football team led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and these heavy-weight Big Ten matchups always seem to come down to the wire. If the Badgers are going to come away victorious and 3-0 on the season, these will be six keys to doing so.

Utilize Jonathan Taylor all over

At this point, we all know what Jonathan Taylor can do on the ground and that is still going to be an important part of this game for Wisconsin. But if they really want to keep this Michigan defense off-balance, utilizing Taylor in the passing game is going to be a necessity.

Being an effective pass-catcher is something that Taylor has worked hard on over the offseason to help round out his game. Through two games he has already played a much bigger factor in Wisconsin’s passing offense than he had in years past with five receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown already. To help Wisconsin secure the win over Michigan, he is going to have to be a factor in their passing game.

Jack Coan

We really couldn’t have scripted a better two starts for Jack Coan than what he has actually put together. This season he’s completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 562 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. In fact, Coan’s 363 yards against Central Michigan was the fifth most in a single-game in school history.

However, the Michigan defense will provide him with his first real test. By no means have they put up gaudy numbers through the first two weeks but they are still very talented. With Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and this Badgers’ defense, they don’t need Coan to be Super Man by any means, but he needs to be efficient and protect the ball.

Contain Shea Patterson

Under the new Michigan offense, it has been a slow start to the season for their quarterback, Shea Patterson and if the Badger defense can keep Patterson from scrambling and capitalize on his mistakes, it will go a long ways towards winning the game.

Last year in Ann Arbor, Patterson totaled 90 yards on the ground against Wisconsin, including 88 yards on just two runs. The Badger defense knows how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hands.

However, an issue this year for Patterson has been putting the ball on the ground. In Michigan’s two games, he’s fumbled the ball four times and lost three of them. Once again, Wisconsin will need to capitalize on these opportunities if these issues for Patterson continue.

Wisconsin’s defensive focus should be stacking the box to slow down the Michigan running game, keeping Patterson from finding open field, and forcing Patterson to have to beat them with his arm.

Slow down Zach Charbonnet

Speaking of the Michigan running game, freshman Zach Charbonnet has been the bright spot on this offense over the first two weeks. So far he’s totaled three touchdowns and 4.6 yards per carry. As I mentioned above, eliminating the running game and putting the ball in Patterson’s hands will be key to a Wisconsin victory.

Quintez Cephus beating Lavert Hill

Unlike in previous years where teams just primarily had to focus on the Wisconsin running game, we have seen their passing attack make some noise this season and a big reason why is the return of Quintez Cephus.

Against Central Michigan, Cephus would total 130 yards through the air with two touchdowns. The Badgers haven’t seen that kind of production at the receiver position in years. As a result, Cephus will likely have Michigan’s top corner, Lavert Hill lined up across from him for most of the game.

If Cephus can continue his stellar play and win some battles against Lavert, it is going to have a trickle-down effect to the rest of the Wisconsin offense. With the attention of Cephus, it will open up more opportunities for other receivers and will also take some of the focus off of the running game.

The Badger offensive line

Through their first two games, the Michigan front-seven has totaled only four sacks but part of the reason for that has been due to the lack of opportunities. Middle Tennessee is a quick passing offense while Army runs the triple-option.

But they are still a very athletic and talented group that will be able to pin their ears back and attack this Badgers offense. With four new starters along the Wisconsin offensive line, they like Coan will be going up against their first real test of the season.

Obviously it is important that they are able to create space and allow Taylor to get to the open field but we should also expect to see them pass the ball more than they have in the past and giving Coan the time to survey the field from a clean pocket will be crucial.