Reacting to Michigan’s 30-27 win over Nebraska in Big Ten opener
No. 20 Michigan Wolverines defeated Nebraska to open their Big Ten schedule, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here’s what it means.
Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia looks ahead to Michigan football’s homecoming game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Fast facts
Matchup: No. 20 Michigan (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Noon, Saturday, Oct. 4; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
TV/radio: Fox; WCSX-FM (94.7).
Line: Wolverines by 16½.
Michigan football vs. Wisconsin availability report
Michigan Week 4 availability: OUT: WR I’Marion Stewart, DB Zeke Berry, DB Caleb Anderson, QB Davis Warren, DB Tevis Metcalf, RB Micah Ka’apana, RB Donovan Johnson, RB John Volker, LB Jaydon Hood, OL Gio El-Hadi, OL Andrew Babalola, DL Manuel Beigel, TE Hogan Hansen, WR Devon Baxter, WR C.J. Charleston, DL Ike Iwunnah; QUESTIONABLE: DB Shamari Earls, QB Mikey Keene, DB Rod Moore, DB Mason Curtis, OL Brady Norton
Wisconsin Missed Week 4: OUT: TE Tucker Ashcraft, S Preston Zachman, S Luke Emmerich, DL Charles Perkins, LB Evan Van Dyn Hoven, OL Kevin Heywood, OL Jake Renfro, OL Barrett Nelson, WR Ben Lemirand, DL Torin Pettaway; QUESTIONABLE: QB Billy Edwards Jr., OL Kerry Kodanko, LB Corey Walker
Scouting report
When Michigan has the ball: The Wolverines offense has started to find its form, scoring 93 points (47.5 average) during the past two games. Bryce Underwood has opened the rushing attack with 17 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns during that time, but the bellcow has been Justice Haynes. The Alabama transfer had a career year in one month, running 66 times for 537 yards and six touchdowns and setting a U-M record as the first player to run for 100 yards or more in each of his first four games. The Wolverines, however, are looking for assistance in their wide receiver ranks. Donaven McCulley has been solid, catching 13 balls for 197 yards, but the team is tied for second in the Big Ten in drops (11). The Badgers, meanwhile, have 10 sacks this year, three interceptions and have yet to force a fumble, much less recover one.
When Wisconsin has the ball: It’s been tough sledding for Luke Fickell’s attack, which has put up 24 combined points in its past two games against power four opponents. They’re ranked No. 106 in total yards (323.5), No 113 in yards per play (4.7), have given up quarterback sacks on 10.48% of dropbacks and committed six turnovers in just four contests. That plays right into the hands of the Michigan defense, which has ratcheted things up in recent weeks. Against Nebraska, U-M had nine tackles for loss and seven sacks. Meanwhile the unit has forced eight turnovers and at least one in every game this season. If there is a positive matchup for the Badgers, it’s tight end Luke Mason (14 grabs, 17 yards and two scores) against a linebacker core for U-M that is fantastic, but at its worst in pass coverage.
Know the foe
Quarterback question: The Badgers have bounced back and forth between a pair quarterbacks in Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil, neither of whom have been terribly effective. Edwards Jr. transferred from Maryland and was the starter entering the year before he suffered a knee injury in the first half of the opening game. O’Neil started the next two games, but when the Terps came to Madison last week Edwards insisted he play. Coach Luke Fickell said he didn’t do a good job “protecting Edwards from himself” and it appeared he wasn’t fully ready. That makes it seem like O’Neil will be starting Saturday, but it’s not clear. O’Neil has been solid at times, completing 60 of 85 passes (70.6%) for 640 yards and five touchdowns, but the drawback has been five interceptions in that time.
Running struggles: Part of the reason for so many interceptions is Wisconsin is seemingly always in obvious passing downs because there has been no ground game to speak of. The Badgers have run 150 times for 471 yards (3.1 yards per carry) which is less than Haynes by himself on more than double the attempts. The lead backs are Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree, who’ve both run 35 times for 154 yards and 144 yards, respectively. Wisconsin does not have a ball carrier who’s found the end zone multiple times this season − something that feels foreign to anybody who remembers the years they had running backs coming off an assembly line in Melvin Gordon, Montee Ball and James White.
The one strength: If there’s anything Wisconsin has been able to hang its hat on this year, it’s run defense. The Badgers enter the game No. 1 in the nation, allowing 200 yards on the ground (50.0 per game) and a pair of touchdowns. Alabama was able to run 22 times for 72 yards, but its leading ball carrier was quarterback Ty Simpson and he only had 25 yards. If the Badgers have any chance to keep this one tight, it will be by making U-M one-dimensional on offense and forcing Underwood and the Wolverines to beat them through the air.
Tony Garcia’s two cents
Airplane taking off: Michigan captain Max Bredeson said earlier in the week the team feels like an airplane starting to take off and recent evidence suggests that’s what’s happening. The offense has run for nearly 600 yards the past two games, which is only going to help open up the passing attack as defenses at some point or another will have to commit more men to the box. After a slow start on defense − some of that came because OU and New Mexico both got the ball out so quickly − the front seven has started to tee off. U-M brought some juice into its bye week and should keep that going here.
Homecoming helps: This is the biggest game of the year at home to this point, with U-M having two road games and a bye through the first five weeks of the season. Those first two home contests? New Mexico and Central Michigan, which are not exactly a who’s who. Saturday is a maize out for the crowd and this year’s homecoming game, which always has a special ambiance. After a bye week to rest, the Wolverines have been able to get more practice reps for guys who are pushing up the depth chart. U-M should bring its best.
Tony Garcia’s prediction
Normally, Michigan and Wisconsin is a prime time Big Ten matchup, featuring two heavyweight running teams and elite defenses that trade blows back and forth until one finally lands the knockout. This will not be one of those games. Wisconsin has not done anything particularly well this season while U-M is a team that’s designed to make teams pay if they can’t match them across the line. Michigan will be the first team to have its way on the ground with the Badgers, who will set the tone and open up a passing game that’s been good, but not quite what the team hoped. Meanwhile the defense − led by Jaishawn Barham’s move to the edge − should have a field day. The pick: Michigan 31, Wisconsin 10
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
