No. 21 Wisconsin Recalls Michigan Meltdown

MADISON, Wis. -- Tight end Garrett Graham remembers just how quiet 109,000 people could sound last year with Wisconsin rolling over Michigan 19-0 at halftime.

That silence didn't last long.

Michigan rallied with 20 fourth-quarter points for a 27-25 victory over then-No. 9 Wisconsin, the first of four straight losses for the Badgers as their season went into a tailspin and finished 7-6.

In the rematch this Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, there's no way around it - the memories of last year are still painfully fresh for the 21st-ranked Badgers.

"To be in the situation we were at half and to finish that game out the way it did, leaves a very bad taste, and then we all know what happened after that," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. "We've battled our tails off to get to where we are right now, and Michigan is the next opportunity."

Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) will try to push Michigan (5-5, 1-5) to the brink of failing to make a bowl for the second consecutive year.

A win would be even sweeter for the Badgers because it would extend Michigan's losing streak to four games on Senior Day in Wisconsin's final home game this season.

"Losing wears on a lot of people," said coach Rich Rodriguez, who is 3-11 in conference games at Michigan. "I know fans are frustrated, coaches are frustrated, players are frustrated."

It's all the more frustrating because Michigan has been so close, losing three games by six points or less, including 38-36 at home to Purdue on Saturday.

"We're a few plays away from having three more wins," quarterback Tate Forcier said.

But there's no easy way back.

That's what Wisconsin has learned this season, losing its only two games to Ohio State and Iowa after two substandard years following a 12-1 campaign.

A common theme has been re-establishing Wisconsin's tradition this year, and senior defensive end O'Brien Schofield acknowledged after beating Indiana 31-28 last week that he's been waiting to play Michigan again.

Wisconsin is 5-0 in games decided by eight points or less and Graham said he feels like the program is headed in the right direction.

"I feel like we're on the right track. Not quite there yet, but it's definitely doable," Graham said. "What I see more of in these teams is the senior leadership, the camaraderie among the team and just how everybody kind of clicks on offense and defense."

Graham, who leads Wisconsin with four TD catches, is quick to point out that it's a different team and different players on both sides this year.

That bodes well for Wisconsin, too, because the two biggest reasons the Wolverines rallied - Steven Threet (Arizona State) and Sam McGuffie (Rice) - transferred from the program.

Forcier says he'll play despite a banged-up knee he hurt on a TD run against Purdue.

"It's that time of the season, even if you're hurt - you have to play through it," Forcier said.

Wisconsin will also get back its biggest offensive threat, running back John Clay.

Initially, Clay was thought to have a sustained a concussion in the win over the Hoosiers, but he said this week he was sick from a cold and has no lingering effects.

Not that Clay, the Big Ten leader in rushing (108.1 yards per game) and rushing touchdowns (11), was needed in the second half. Freshman Montee Ball ran for 115 yards and two scores, and is an elusive, quick runner to Clay's power style.

Ball is also the fourth running back to play for the Badgers this season and may become the feature back whenever the sophomore Clay departs, continuing the lineage of great running backs at Wisconsin.

"Seeing where I came in at the beginning, I was like, 'Whoa, this is going to take a while.' But it didn't take as long as I thought it would and it's a great thing to watch yourself excel," Ball said.

The same goes for all the Badgers, who are winning again and don't have a large senior class of impact players. That means a victory over Michigan and a strong finish to the season can set Wisconsin up nicely for bigger things next year.

"We need this," Ball said. "This would mean a lot to these seniors - and for Wisconsin."