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Posted on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 10:59 a.m.

'Michigan's Michigan,' Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema says

By AnnArbor.com Staff

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — When Wisconsin lost back-to-back games against Ohio State and Iowa last month, it looked like the Badgers' season was in danger of slipping away.

Instead, No. 21 Wisconsin knocked off its next two opponents and put itself in position to qualify for a top-tier bowl game with a home game looming Saturday against Michigan (noon, Big Ten Network).

Not that everything has gone smoothly: Coach Bret Bielema said Monday that wide receiver Maurice Moore had been indefinitely suspended following his arrest early Sunday on suspicion of drunken driving.

Moore, a junior, was taken to a Madison hospital to be treated for minor injuries, according to the police accident report. He has 45 yards receiving in nine games this season.

Bielema also said starting tailback John Clay showed signs of having a concussion during Saturday's win against Indiana, but should be ready for Michigan. Clay carried 15 times for 134 yards and a touchdown against the Hoosiers, all in the first half.

As for the Wolverines (5-5, 1-5 Big Ten), Bielema knows his team needs to be ready. Michigan rallied from 19 points down last season to beat Wisconsin 25-22 — the first of four straight losses for the Badgers in a season that wound up 7-6.

"To be in the situation we were at half and finish that game out the way it did leaves a very bad taste, and we all know what happened after that," Bielema said Monday. "We battled our tails off to get to where we are right now."

Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2) has lost this year only to Ohio State and Iowa. Those two teams meet this weekend in Columbus with the Big Ten championship at stake.

"It's unfortunate we weren't able to have those two victories," Bielema said. "On the same account, our guys learned some lessons and hopefully the younger guys will have that in their minds moving forward."

Wisconsin rebounded from those defeats to crush Purdue 37-0 and sneak past Indiana 31-28 to match their total wins from last season.

Michigan started strong, winning four in row and appearing to wipe away memories of its school-record nine-loss season last year, the first under coach Rich Rodriguez.

But the Wolverines have lost five of the past six games, all to conference opponents. Its only win during that stretch was against Delaware State of the Football Championship Subdivision. To qualify for a bowl, Michigan must beat Wisconsin in Madison or Ohio State at home.

Bielema wasn't about to give Michigan any bulletin board material Monday.

"It's Michigan. Michigan's Michigan," he said. "They're going to be able to recruit, their guys look good, they have all the right bumps in all the right places. They run. They are physical at contact. They're going to play well."

Comments

A2D2

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 10:45 p.m.

Someone please explain this Bret Bielema quote, "Their guys look good, they have all the right bumps in all the right places.". I'm sorry, but that sounds a little weird.

blue50

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 10:22 p.m.

Let's see. The athletic director for big blue is "full of himself" and believes the security rules for entering the UM Skybox does not apply to him because, as he says, "He is kind of a big deal" or was it The Detroit News that said he was so full of himself. Next, we have the inept coaching exemplified by a mumbling, broken sentence, clueless series of comments by Mr.RR during the post game interview. As disappointed as I am with RR and The Famed Athletic Director Bill Martin I am appalled at Coach Danny Hope of weak Purdue bringing a player to confront RR after last weeks game. Where the hell is the punishment by the Big Ten or The NCAA for Purdue Coach Martin's behavior. No wonder everything seems to be falling apart for Michigan Football. If only Bo was still running the integrity for UM there wouldn't be player discontent, coaching weakness and no way in hell would a visiting coach bring a player on the field to confront him. Does this political correctness now permeate Michigan Football? Does it?

Maize&Believe

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 9:01 p.m.

oh Keith low blow.. but true.lol

keith

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 8:39 p.m.

Wisconsin is ripe for the picking this weekend? On what, exactly, do you base this prediction? The Badger side of the Camp Randall scoreboard is going to spin like a pinball machine. Enjoy your double dose of John Clay & Montee Ball. They'll be a sad reminder of what Michigan football used to be!!!

nick

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 2:12 p.m.

The article says "Michigan rallied from 19 points down last season to beat Wisconsin 25-22 the first of four straight losses for the Badgers in a season that wound up 7-6." Michigan rallied from 19 down to win 27-25, not 25-22, does anyone do a fact check?

Frankyhollywood68

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 2 p.m.

I've never much liked Michigan football...but I really hope they get this win Saturday. I just feel sorry for them. And they need to add one more school to the Conference so they can have a championship game like most of the other schools do. (no ND though, anyone but them)

chosen1

Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 12:22 p.m.

Wisconsin is ripe for the picking this week....but we have got to play with great ball security this week...no turnovers against wisky and we should be able to shock the big 10 with our first road win of the year