Wisconsin Football: Report card for blowout win over Michigan

Defense

Defensive Line: A+

This defense looked like the Wisconsin defense we’re used to seeing. They dominated up front all game long. Michigan, coming in short-handed in the backfield, got absolutely nothing going in the running game. Backup quarterback Dylan McCaffrey led the Wolverines in rushing yards. Shea Patterson was under duress all game long getting sacked twice and hurried seven times. The Badger front forced three fumbles and recovered two. They also tipped a pass that was intercepted.

Linebackers: A+

The defensive line kept the linebackers so clean it was impossible to miss plays. Jack Sanborn and Zack Baun were sideline to sideline all game long pacing the Badgers in tackles and tackles for loss. What was most impressive was they didn’t miss tackles. They put guys down on the turf all game long.

Secondary: A

They might not get a perfect score, but this was the most impressive group on the entire defense. Michigan’s best offensive player (Donovan Peoples-Jones) had one catch. Not only that, the chunk plays Michigan got meant nothing because the game was already out of reach for Michigan.

What made the Badger secondary so impressive was their ability to run with Michigan’s speedier wide outs. They were aided by the defensive line that harassed Shea Patterson all game, but they did a fantastic job of covering clean and not getting penalized.

Special Teams: A

The special teams was solid. They get an A because they didn’t muff any punts, or give up any big returns. When you are solid on your special teams, the opposition can’t use it against you to turn momentum in the game, and Michigan couldn’t.