Hello again Wolverine fans – it’s time for Michigan at Wisconsin football on Go Blue Game Day. We are only talking about the third game of the season, but this one is BIG. It is a BIG game because it is the conference opener for both teams. It is also BIG for Michigan because it is a road game against a Top 25 ranked team. In fact, Wisconsin is the thirteenth ranked team in the country today and Michigan is just ahead at number eleven. Yes, it is a very BIG game for both teams.
(Note - Tony Boles (#42) above led Michigan to a huge win at Wisconsin (62-14) in 1988. He rushed for 179-yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.)
Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines are off to a solid start with a record of 2 wins and 0 losses, but it hasn’t been pretty. The vaunted “Speed in Space” offense looks a lot like last year except for all the penalties, fumbles and dropped passes. Michigan must improve in all phases of the game if they are to win in Madison today. And, oh by the way, they need to stop Jonathan Taylor.
Wisconsin is also undefeated, but people are wondering how good they are since they haven’t played the toughest schedule so far. However, they do have the number one defense in the country. Today’s game will be a big test for a freshman quarterback who has never played against a Don Brown defense. It could be very interesting.
Before I get into my predictions about today’s game, let’s take a closer look at what has happened so far when Michigan plays on the twenty-first day of September. Then, we will shift our attention to the history of Michigan vs Wisconsin football. Finally, I will connect all the dots and predict the winner and the score of today’s critical game.
Michigan has played a total of six games on the twenty-first day of September so far. Yes, today’s game will be the first game ever between these conference rivals on September. As of today, the Wolverine record on this date is 5 wins, 1 loss and 0 ties which works out to a winning percentage of just over eighty-three percent (.833). As you can see from the chart below, they have been outstanding in non-conference games, but have yet to be tested in conference play.
| Type Game | # of Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Win % |
| Non-Conference | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| Conference | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| All Games | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
The average score of Michigan’s first six games on September 21st is 21-11. I would definitely take that score today!
Here is a little more history about Michigan football on this date.
Here is a quick look at the “Tale of the Tape” for both programs:
| Program Area | Wisconsin | Michigan |
| First Football Season | 1889 | 1879 |
| Total Wins | 707 | 955 |
| Total Losses | 495 | 342 |
| Total Ties | 53 | 36 |
| Winning % | .569 | .730 |
| National Championships | 0 | 11 |
| Heisman Winners | 2 | 3 |
| All-Americans (Consensus) | 32 | 83 |
| Big Ten Championships | 14 | 42 |
Today’s Michigan at Wisconsin game marks the sixty-eighth contest between these two conference rivals. This will be the first time that these Big Ten rivals have ever played on September 21st. The first game between Michigan and Wisconsin was played in Madison in 1892. The Wolverines defeated the Badgers by a score of 10-6.
The biggest series win belongs to Michigan. Bo Schembechler showed no mercy in a 56-0 victory in 1977.
Wisconsin’s biggest series win took place in 2009 – a 45-24 blasting of Rich Rod’s Wolverines.
The Wolverines own the longest series win streak at 14 games (1965-1980) while the Badgers won 3 straight against the Wolverines from 1959-1962.
Michigan has a huge advantage in the overall series (51-15-1). Things are almost as good in Madison where the Wolverines own a record of 21-7-1.
Michigan’s biggest win in a Big Ten opener at Wisconsin took place in 1988. Bo’s Boys blasted the Badgers 62-14.
The last game between these two Big Ten rivals in Wisconsin was played on November 18, 2017. Final Score: Wisconsin 24 Michigan 10 - ouch!
History is definitely on Michigan’s side in this series, but they must break a four-game losing streak (2005, 2007, 2009 and 2017) to start the Big Ten season in style today.
In addition to fifty-one wins over the Badgers, Michigan players have had some amazing performances against the Red and White in Wisconsin. Here some of the most notable Wolverine road performances against the Wisconsin:
Yes, Michigan Men have made some great plays in Madison. Let’s hope something magical happens against the Cheese Heads today.
Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to a 34-17 win at Madison in 1986. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.
It has been eighteen seasons since Michigan last defeated Wisconsin at Madison. Today’s game promises to be another bruising battle against some very BIG men on both sides of the ball. Wisconsin has plenty of good players on their roster and so do the Wolverines. Yes, it’s going to be a battle!
Michigan’s game plan is pretty simple – stop Jonathan Taylor, or at least slow him down and limit his trips to the end zone to two or less. Hopefully, Michigan will take away Taylor and the running game and force the Badgers into a passing game against Don Brown’s defense.
Yes, Michigan and Wisconsin are two very good football teams. Both teams have stingy, hard-hitting defenses that will make it hard for the offenses to score. This will be the most physical game of the season – so far. As usual, the team that makes the fewest mistakes will probably win the game - big surprise, right?
As of this writing, Michigan is n underdog in this matchup by 2-3 points. This is one of the biggest games in the history of the Michigan vs Wisconsin football rivalry. I think the Wolverines will come out strong and play their best game of the season. The Wolverine defenders will shut down Wisconsin’s run game and force freshman quarterback Jack Koan to beat them. Michigan’s offense will take care of the ball and minimize the penalties. The Maize and Blue run game will total at least 200-yards and our receivers will make some big catches. Shea Patterson will play a clean game and make some big plays when needed. Michigan kickers Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin will come through when needed. Yes, this will be a “Big Ten Big Boy” football game. There will be some ferocious battles in the tranches – for sure! However, I think Michigan ends their four-game losing streak at Camp Randall Stadium. Final Score: Michigan 24 Wisconsin 14. Go Blue!
