Michigan Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Wisconsin in Week 12

3. Jonathan Taylor is held under 100 yards

Illinois held Wisconsin star tailback Jonathan Taylor to only 73 rushing yards back on Oct. 28. The Illini defense is ranked 69th by the S&P+ and they’re boasting that dominating 2-8 record that Wisconsin has feasted on all season. Northwestern held him to 80 yards and only 4.2 yards per carry. The Wildcats are a sneaky good 7-3 but their defense is only ranked 38th in the S&P+ and they’re another Badger opponent plagued by a weak offense.

While Michigan’s offense isn’t anything extraordinary, but their defense is ranked 6th overall in the S&P+ and Don Brown will do everything in his power to eliminate Taylor as a weapon and force Hornibrook to beat the Wolverines with his inaccurate arm.

Turnover prone, Hornibrook will give the rising Michigan offense extra possessions. Keep in mind, Michigan’s offense is 53rd in the S&P+ while Illinois was ranked in the 100s.

Taylor won’t be able to carry the load against the Wolverines quite like he has against the Badgers sub-par schedule. If Iowa and Michigan are the meat and potatoes of the schedule, the rest has been Publix chocolate chip cookies (if you don’t live near a Publix, just picture Subway’s chocolate chip cookies on steroids).