No. 13 Wisconsin hasn’t allowed a point in two games and has given up just 215 total yards.
The Badgers, who opened with routs of South Florida and Central Michigan, should get a much sterner test when they host No. 11 Michigan in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
“Ever since my time here, nobody really believes in what we do,” said inside linebacker Chris Orr, who has eight tackles this season.
“They downplay the big wins and up play the losses. I’m eager to show the whole nation what we can do (and) show how good we truly are, so we can get some type of respect.”
The Wolverines (2-0) will need to contain several Badgers who didn’t compete in Michigan’s 38-13 home victory last season, including junior quarterback Jack Coan and junior wide receiver Quintez Cephus.
Coan ranks 10th nationally with a passing efficiency rating of 184.5, which was bolstered by his effort in Wisconsin’s 61-0 win against Central Michigan on Sept. 7. He completed 26 of 33 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns — all career highs.
Coan took over this season for Alex Hornibrook, who played three games against Michigan during his Badgers career but transferred to Florida State for his final season of eligibility.
Cephus was Coan’s go-to player through the air during the Central Michigan rout, as Cephus posted career highs of six receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
The university expelled Cephus last year after he was accused of two counts of sexual assault, but he was reinstated on Aug. 19 after he was found not guilty of the charges. Cephus returned to practice on Aug. 21, and was ruled academically eligible to play by the NCAA two days later.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who recruited Coan to play for the Wolverines, didn’t need reminding that Michigan hasn’t won in Madison in their past four tries, with its most recent victory coming in 2001.
Wisconsin and Michigan are coming off bye weeks.
“Challenge of this game is big,” Harbaugh said. “They’re just good every year. Seem to be every time you face them. A really talented, veteran well-coached football team.
“And playing at Camp Randall is a tough venue; that’s a tough win to get. Haven’t won in four or five tries. This is a big game for us. Big challenge.”
Michigan senior quarterback Shea Patterson and true freshman running back Zach Charbonnet will garner a lot of attention from Wisconsin.
Patterson, who helped lead Michigan to the 2018 win over Wisconsin, has completed 36 of 58 passes for 410 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions this season. Charbonnet has 41 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Harbaugh said the youngster also has been remarkable in picking up pass protection.
“It’s eye-catching with Zach Charbonnet because it just looks like it comes easy to him. It’s like difficult math equations that guys just get. And so it catches your attention,” Harbaugh said. “Also, I’ve got to give the running backs coach, Jay Harbaugh, credit there to get it taught to all the backs.”
