In our weekly article, none of the national analysts picked Wisconsin to beat LSU in Week 1 nor to defeat Michigan State last week.
We have a little progress this week. A little.
Yes, we found a couple of people who are predicting the eight-ranked Badgers to beat fourth-ranked Michigan this Saturday in Ann Arbor. Two, to be exact. Well, I guess that's better than zero.
Here's this week's predictions from around the web and Twitter:
FOXSports.com's Bruce Feldman: Michigan 24, Wisconsin 10. "As well as young Badgers QB Alex Hornibrook has played, Don Brown's Wolverine D is playing at a different level, leading the nation in TFLs and is tied for No. 1 in sacks."
FOXSports.com's Stewart Mandel: Michigan 26, Wisconsin 22. "It's unrealistic to think Michigan will run all over the Badgers' thus-far suffocating defense, but Wisconsin won't make enough plays on offense to pull this one off. "
The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Michigan 28, Wisconsin 14
We have a split among the Big Ten Network analysts. Tom Dienhart sees it Wisconsin 28, Michigan 27 while Brent Yarina has it Michigan 23, Wisconsin 21.
Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Michigan 26, Wisconsin 17. "The Badger D will keep this from getting out of hand, but Michigan will show just how complete it really is with an impressive all-around performance."
The Whatifsports.com simulation has an average score of Michigan 26.9, Wisconsin 23.1 with the Wolverines winning 67.3 percent of the time.
Rich Cirminiello of Campus Insiders: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 17. "These Badgers, fueled by an outstanding corps of linebackers, will not go down without a fight. Still, they'll struggle to reach the end zone on Don Brown's defense. And while Michigan will face its own problems with the ball, do-everything Jabrill Peppers will create something on offense, defense or special teams to provide the necessary spark."
Jeff Bartl of Campus Insiders: Michigan 31, Wisconsin 21. "Michigan survives its first true test of the season and gets a defensive touchdown on a Hornibrook pick-6, helping the Wolverines send the Badgers to their first loss of the season."
All four Athlon Sports analysts have Michigan winning.
Three of the four analysts at The Sporting News are taking Michigan over Wisconsin. The lone dissenter is Jeff Owens, who calls it 17-14 Badgers.
The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel: Michigan 28, Wisconsin 22.
All seven analysts at SI.com are predicting a Michigan victory.
Brian Pedersen of Bleacher Report: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 16.
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Michigan 28, Wisconsin 20.
All seven analysts at USAToday.com pick Michigan to win.
The Picker of Tulsa World: Has Michigan winning by 3.
All seven CBSSports.com analysts are picking Michigan to win. For what it is worth, five of the seven do believe Wisconsin will cover a 10.5-point spread.
Each of the five writers at MLive.com think Michigan will win.
Bill Connelly of SB Nation: His S&P+ projection has it Michigan 33.1, Wisconsin 18.8 with the Spartans' win probability at 79.4 percent.
All five of the ESPN.com Big Ten contributors picked Michigan to win.
Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com: Doesn't pick a score but does think Michigan will cover a 10.5-point spread, so you get the idea. "I don't think it'll be another blowout win for the Wolverines, I just don't think they'll have to sweat it out in the end, either."
All three analysts at FootballScoop.com went with Michigan as the winner.
Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns
