| Michigan vs. Wisconsin, Saturday, Sept. 25, at Madison, Wis. Last
year Wisconsin won the Rose Bowl, finished 11-1 and gave up the fewest points per game
(10.2) of any Division I-A team. But this year, after looking very good early this season,
the Badgers lost to lowly Cincinnati last week. Michigan won the national championship two
years ago and handed Wisconsin its only loss last year. Michigan lost seven starters from
’98 (but nobody like a Charles Woodson) and have both their quarterbacks back.
Quarterback is the biggest question for Wisconsin now that the much-maligned Mike Samuel
has departed. Fans hated the way Samuel threw, but Badgers coaches loved his intangibles.
On defense Wisconsin’s one major loss from last season is DE Tom Burke, a great pass
rusher with a motor that never slowed down, but the Badgers have eight starters back.
Aside from end, Wisconsin must replace starters only at outside ’backer and strong
safety, where ’98 nickel DB Bobby Myers should step in.
Michigan seems to have Wisconsin’s number and has the more balanced offensive
attack. But the game is in Madison and the Badgers have revenge on their minds. Plus,
Wisconsin’s first 22 are as good as Michigan’s, and the Badgers’ special
teams may be better. The keys to the game will be Michigan’s ability to prevent
Badgers RB Ron Dayne from controlling the tempo and Wisconsin’s ability to make a big
play on special teams.
Quarterbacks — It appears as though Michigan head coach Lloyd
Carr has given the starting QB job to Drew Henson. No, Henson did not start last week and
has never started a college game, but the fact that in a close game Carr let Henson play
the entire last three quarters is a strong indication that Carr wanted a No. 1 QB going
into the Big Ten schedule and that Henson would be that quarterback. Henson showed
tremendous arm strength and made some great throws vs. Syracuse, but he is still somewhat
lacking in touch on his passes. Brady is less athletic than Henson but has more touch and
experience and is probably more of a passer now, whereas Henson is more of a thrower.
Wisconsin’s Scott Kavanagh is not really the athlete or runner the Badgers are
looking for, and he may be replaced by one of the team’s young quarterbacks before
long. But his experience is a big plus. Edge: Michigan.
Running backs — Dayne came back for his senior year so he could
be close to his daughter, break Ricky Williams’ NCAA career rushing mark, lead the
nation in rushing, show NFL scouts he can control his weight and be a complete back and
win a national championship. Dayne is a tremendous power runner with exceptional balance
who is almost unstoppable once he gets a full head of steam. He runs with a low center of
gravity and is almost impossible to wrap up. He also has very good vision and feet and
makes quick, subtle cuts to daylight. While not a speed burner, he has competitive speed
and a little burst. The knocks against Dayne have dealt with his weight, his play without
the ball and the way his stats have often been huge against poor teams and mediocre
against top-rated defenses. For Michigan, a lighter, quicker Anthony Thomas has looked
very impressive at tailback, and big Aaron Shea is a receiver-blocker-type fullback. Edge:
Wisconsin.
Receivers — Michigan’s Marcus Knight is a good, solid
receiver, and sophomore David Terrell is starting to emerge as a star or even a superstar.
Terrell is very raw around the edges. He jumps unnecessarily for balls and tends to
body-catch too much. But he has great athleticism and the hands to make the exceptional
catch. Wisconsin’s big-play receiver is Chris Chambers. For both teams, the wide
receivers are judged almost as much for their downfield blocking as their pass catching. Edge:
Michigan.
Offensive linemen — Despite the loss of massive Aaron Gibson, a
first-round pick by the Lions, Wisconsin could still have the best line in the Big Ten
when you include the two extra tackles they often line up as tight ends. Many scouts feel
OLT Chris McIntosh is a better pure football player than Gibson was, although McIntosh is
not nearly as dominating or physical. If Wisconsin does not have the best line in the
conference, then Michigan does. The Wolverines’ two leading all-star candidates are
OLT Jeff Backus and Steve Hutchinson, who can play guard or even center in a pinch. Edge:
Even.
Defensive linemen — Wisconsin will really miss Burke, who was a
great college pass rusher and leader with a non-stop motor. But the Badgers still return a
couple of solid players, and young Wendell Bryant has a big upside. Michigan’s down
linemen are basically out there to tie up offensive linemen so the linebackers can roam
free and make plays. Edge: Even.
Linebackers — The play-making linebackers for Michigan are
OLB-pass rusher James Hall, undersized Ian Gold and Dhani Jones. All have some
shortcomings, but all can be playmakers. Wisconsin’s Donnel Thompson and Chris
Ghidorzi are good, smart college players. Edge: Michigan.
Defensive backs — In pint-sized sophomores Jamar Fletcher and
Mike Echols, Wisconsin has the two best cover corners it has had on the same team in a
long, long time. FS Jason Doering is known for his hitting, while ’98 nickel DB Myers
starts at strong safety. The Wolverines have athletes in their secondary, but their pass
coverage vs. Notre Dame was awful, and when they play zone, you see too many open areas. Edge:
Wisconsin.
Special teams — Wisconsin may have had the best kicking
game and special teams in the conference last season, and it still has All-Big Ten P Kevin
Stemke. Michigan has been vulnerable in this area in big games, and the Badgers may look
to block a kick or at least spook Michigan’s kickers with their pressure and
kick-blocking skills. Edge: Wisconsin.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Wisconsin 22
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