Michigan Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Wisconsin in Week 4

3. Jack Coan outplays Shea Patterson

We have seen two very different versions of Jack Coan so far this season. The Wisconsin offense has hummed along without much cause for concern, but that’s mostly because the running game has been as great as it typically is. In Week 1 against USF, Coan missed several throws that would have connected for long touchdowns. Did he need them? No. But the receivers were open, and the throws should have been completed.

In Week 2 though we saw Coan connect on those passes and he threw for 363 yards while being even more efficient with his throws. He looked like a real threat with his arm.

If Coan is going to outplay Patterson, it’s likely to say more about Patterson. Coan isn’t going to throw for 350-plus yards on Saturday. That just isn’t the game plan for Paul Chryst and the Badgers. But if Coan is efficient and can move the chains on third and mediums, then it’s possible this comes to fruition.

Shea Patterson has seen less success so far this season despite still playing very overmatched opponents. He’s also a much larger part of the Wolverine offense than you can say for Coan, so much more is asked of him. Coan has exceeded expectations whereas Patterson has yet to even match them. Going on the road against a team like Wisconsin is not a likely place for him to change those fortunes.