This wasn’t a declarative rout, but Badger formula showed the entire formula for winning the Big Ten and perhaps more.
Wisconsin football outlasted Michigan 24-10 in a game that was far closer than the final two touchdown margin indicates.
The Badgers were tied 7-7 at half before separating for a second half win. In fact, Bucky trailed 10-7 with about 20 minutes left.
But on 3rd-and-13 from the Wisconsin 31 Alex Hornibrook found AJ Taylor for a 51-yard gain. Then, on 3rd-and-16 from the Michigan 24 he fired a strike to Taylor again for the go ahead touchdown.
Alex Hornibrook picked the perfect time to come alive.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 18, 2017
He threaded the needle on this dime to AJ Taylor, giving @BadgerFootball the lead: pic.twitter.com/sxrL3w0cCt
Keep in mind, these two throws came immediately after a bad Hornbirook interception (and great Devon Bush play). He throws some bad balls but doesn’t lose confidence.
Gotta give Alex Hornibrook a lot of credit. He has made some money throws the last two drives. Goes from so bad to so good quickly.
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) November 18, 2017
Now don’t get it twisted. This game was quite a labor for the Badgers. Wisconsin was tied at the break but there was a palpable unease clouding Camp Randall early in the second half. Wisconsin was struggling offensively and was battling uphill against bad field position.
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Yet, the defense wasn’t breaking and allowing Michigan to fully capitalize on the good field position. So they kept the Badgers afloat and the outcome in doubt.
Of course, the only first half points for Wisconsin came on the Nick Nelson punt return. While Michigan scored after connecting on a couple long passes.
But per usual, Wisconsin football owned much of the second half. Jonathan Taylor finally was able to find some running lanes. Meanwhile, TJ Edwards and Ryan Connelly just shut down everything the Michigan offense tried.
Of course, the Wolverines lost QB Brandon Peters to injury (we hope he’s okay). That seemed to fully deflate the Michigan team as its upset hopes departed with him.
But what we saw on Saturday is a the gritty effort required to win the Big Ten outright and compete in the Playoff. Things go wrong, its football against good teams.
But nobody panic, because eventually the Badgers make just a few more critical plays and get the win. Wisconsin has the maturity and discipline to make life difficult for the opponents. All three phases contributed as the defenses continues to set the pace.