One thing sprung to mind at about that the 2:54 mark of the first quarter of Michigan's 35-14 loss at Wisconsin, after Wisconsin dominated the Wolverines on the way to a 14-0 lead: This Badgers team is what we expected Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan squad to look like in year five.
Wisconsin dominated both lines of scrimmage, running back Jonathan Taylor rushing for a ridiculous 143 yards in the first 12 minutes alone. (As a point of reference, most felt U-M would have to hold him to 130 or less for the entire game to have a chance).
Badgers head coach Paul Chryst was so unconcerned about a potential U-M comeback that he went for it on fourth-and-three from the Michigan 42 up 14-0 … and got it easily on a play action pass to receiver Quintez Cephus, good for 26 yards.
“I thought Wisconsin had a great game plan, executed it extremely well, outplayed us offensively and defensively,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said in stating the obvious. “Things they did really well we were unable to do in terms of establishing a running game, having the play action come off of that. They blocked better; they tackled better. They had a better plan and executed extremely well today.
“We were outplayed, out-prepared and outcoached. Outplayed, the whole thing, both offensively and defensively. It was thorough. We knew it about their team. They’ve got the ability; they’re good enough. If they play good enough, they’re good enough to beat you thoroughly, and that’s what happened today.”
