Michigan Football: Game-by-Game Analysis of the 2008 Schedule—Part Two of Four

Part two of four of game-by-game analysis and projection of the 2008 Michigan Wolverines' season.

September 27th – WISCONSIN

Michigan ends the month of September with the start of Big Ten play, welcoming the Badgers to Ann Arbor.  Returning eight starters on offense and nine starters on defense, Wisconsin looks primed to make another run at a Big Ten Championship, and will look to build momentum heading into their matchup with Ohio State the following week. 

Questions surround the Badgers at the quarterback position, as Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge was unable to distinguish himself from Dustin Sherer at the end of spring ball. However, with Wisconsin returning four legitimate ball carriers in P.J. Hill, Zach Brown, Lance Smith, and prized recruit John Clay—who sat out his freshman season due to academic reasons—the Badgers seem set on wearing down defenses and continuing to run the football. 

All-Big Ten tight end Travis Beckum also returns to provide the Badger quarterbacks a reliable target and force defenses to respect the passing game. 

On defense, Wisconsin loses stalwarts Nick Hayden and Jack Ikegewuono to the NFL. However, linebackers Jonathan Casillas and Deandre Levy, defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, and free safety Shane Carter all return to lead what should be a solid unit. 

Though health will be a question mark for this Badger squad, as 26 players missed time due to injuries during spring ball, most if not all should be healthy by the time the season rolls around, providing this young Michigan team with its most daunting task yet.

Though Michigan should enter this contest looking to avenge last year’s loss which cost them a share of the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin dominated on both sides of the ball in last season’s matchup and I anticipate much of the same. 

Look for the Badger defense to stymie the young Wolverine offense, and P.J. Hill and Co. to wear down the Michigan front four as the game progresses.  Michigan begins Big Ten play with its first loss of the season.

(L 28-10)

October 4th – ILLINOIS

Following last year’s breakout season, The Fighting Illini look not only to challenge for the Big Ten crown, but avenge last year’s loss to Michigan that knocked them out of the Big Ten race.    

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