Wisconsin vs. Michigan: Game Grades, Analysis for the Wolverines

Everyone expected a heavyweight fight when Michigan and Wisconsin kicked off in the Big House. And neither team disappointed as the Wolverines and Badgers slugged it out in an old-school Big Ten defensive battle Michigan squeaked out late, 14-7, to move to 5-0 on the season. 

Check out my game grades and analysis for Michigan:

Offense: C-

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Coming into the game, Michigan was averaging 52 points per game. That was not the case Saturday as Wisconsin's stout defense played extremely well, stifling the Wolverines throughout the game. That was especially the case for the offensive line, which struggled to open up holes in the running game and pass protect on 3rd-and-long plays, and Wilton Speight, who had trouble with his accuracy once again. 

While struggles were happening all over the place, including drops from receivers, Speight and Amara Darboh connected twice in the fourth quarter. The first pass was a beautiful slant route to pick up a third down, and then the two connected on a 46-yard touchdown to put the Wolverines up for good. 

There are plenty of questions to be answered moving forward as the offense never got into a rhythm against its first real test. But, a win's a win.

Defense: A+

Tony Ding/Associated Press

This game was all about defense, and the Wolverines were more than up for the challenge. Behind the defense line's dominant play and the secondary's three interceptions, Michigan gave Wisconsin fits all game long, holding the Badgers to just 88 yards passing and 71 yards rushing. 

All eyes were on Jabrill Peppers, and while he had a good game, there were a couple of other players who really took the spotlight. 

Channing Stribling played, arguably, the best game of his career. His performance included multiple pass breakups and two huge interceptions that killed important drives for the Badgers. 

On top of Stribling, Ryan Glasgow and Chris Wormley were causing havoc up front from start to finish. But that's not what will be remembered. That will go to Jourdan Lewis' unreal, one-handed interception on fourth down on Wisconsin's final drive. It was a play that will be on every top-10 list and will be shown on every Michigan highlight tape from here on out. 

Wisconsin's offense was far from a juggernaut, but you have to tip your hat to Michigan's defense for not taking it lightly and putting on a memorable performance.

Special Teams: F+

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Michigan's special teams performance may have been the worst I have ever seen, and it wasn't only on Kenny Allen's foot. 

Though the senior kicker missed two field goals and Ryan Tice missed another field goal, the Wolverines' punt unit was consistently flagged from the first quarter to the fourth quarter for dumb mistakes. That includes false starts and multiple holds. 

Jabrill Peppers normally helps raise the grade for the special teams, but he only had a couple of return attempts and was lit up on his only kick return. 

The only reason I gave the plus on the failing grade is because of Allen's ability to shake the field-goal-kicking woes and hit several booming punts to help pin Wisconsin deep in its own territory. 

Let's just chalk this one up as a forgettable day for the special teams.