GRAHAM MERTZ

Graham Mertz scored on two quarterback sneaks and threw a touchdown pass to help Wisconsin trounce No. 9 Iowa 27-7 on Saturday for its fourth consecutive victory.

The Michigan football team remains undefeated midway through the season, but it hasn’t been easy getting to this point.

Cornelius Johnson caught both of Cade McNamara’s touchdown passes and No. 14 Michigan remained unbeaten with a 38-17 victory over Wisconsin, which lost starting quarterback Graham Mertz to a chest injury.

The University of Michigan defeated University of Wisconsin–Madison Saturday afternoon.

Behind a rejuvenated passing game and its bend-not-break defense, the 14th-ranked Wolverines powered their way to a 38-17 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday. The play came after Michigan forced its season-high third turnover of the game, a Daxton Hill interception of Wisconsin backup quarterback Chad Wolf. After Michigan took a 13-3 lead, Mertz (8 of 15, 115 yards) worked to get Wisconsin back into the game late in the first half. He hit receiver Chimere Dike on a fade throw in the end zone for a late-second quarter touchdown, pulling the Badgers within three. _______________________Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz left Saturday's game against No. 14 Michigan after he was sacked early in the third quarter. The team said Mertz and tight end Jake Ferguson went to the locker room with chest injuries. Michigan’s Daxton Hill sacked Mertz on a third-and-9 play in the first series of the third.

Michigan is seeking to win at Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since a 20-17 triumph in 2001 when the 14th-ranked Wolverines visit Wisconsin.

Michigan’s MLive beat writers have predicted Michigan to win every game so far this season. Erase the second half of Michigan’s win against Rutgers, and I like its chances of winning in Madison for the first time since 2001. Prediction: Wisconsin 21, Michigan 20Aaron McMannThis was a game I thought Michigan had no chance to win at the beginning of the year. And right now, I trust the Wisconsin defense more than I do the Michigan offense. Prediction: Wisconsin 21, Michigan 20Andrew KahnTwenty years.

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst says the Badgers’ problems on offense don’t rest solely with struggling quarterback Graham Mertz. Mertz was 18 for 41 for 240 yards with four interceptions and a fumble in the Badgers’ 41-13 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday. Chryst said Monday his message to the sophomore is to stay positive.

For about 45 minutes late Saturday afternoon, college football was on overload.

Chris Tyree returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and Drew Pyne threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in relief of an injured Jack Coan as No. 12 Notre Dame beat No. 18 Wisconsin 41-13 at Soldier Field.

No. 16 Arkansas' game against No. 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and No. 18 Wisconsin's meeting with No. 12 Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago highlight the college football schedule on Saturday.

After a home loss in its opening game, No. 18 Wisconsin will look for redemption when it welcomes Eastern Michigan into Madison on Saturday.

Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted Graham Mertz deep in Penn State territory in the final 2½ minutes to preserve the 19th-ranked Nittany Lions’ 16-10 victory over No. 12 Wisconsin.

With name, image and likeness looming, one Big Ten quarterback is already beginning the process of branding himself. Graham Mertz, the starter at Wisconsin, who’s on the schedule for Michigan and Eastern Michigan this fall, unveiled his own trademarked logo on Monday in a post on social media. The logo includes Mertz’s initials, “G” and “M”, and is wrapped to apparently resemble a “5,” his jersey number. The logo is just the first step in a planned business model allowed under revised Wisconsin laws allowing collegiate student-athletes the opportunity to profit from their status. Schools would be able to write their own NIL rules, essentially opening the door for all athletes — from Alaska to Florida — to begin signing endorsement deals.

Nine of the 14 Big Ten football teams appear set at quarterback heading into the fall.

Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comILLINOIS at PENN STATEWhen: 5:30 p.m. SaturdayTV: FS1Latest line: Penn State -15JS: A perfect spot for Penn State to finish its season on a high note. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comMICHIGAN STATE at MARYLANDWhen: 7:30 p.m. SaturdayTV: BTNLatest line: Michigan State +2JS: Is Taulia Tagovailoa going to play? So that means this is a prime opportunity for the Spartans, who showed a second-quarter flash against Penn State last week. Michigan State also could be without key players who chose to sit out, including cornerback Shakur Brown, who on Monday declared for the NFL draft. Michigan State 24, Maryland 21MLive staff picks:

Iowa enters Saturday’s Week 9 matchup against Michigan as one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten. “Going into the game we knew it was going to be a tough defensive battle,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game. “A big game for him today. What to expect from Michigan football during early signing periodPotential fireworks during early signing period? Plus 3 other Michigan storylines we’re watching this weekMichigan football opens as big underdog vs. Iowa

Indiana tied a program record Saturday by earning its sixth Big Ten win of the season, joining the 1967 and 1987 teams. Tuttle also lost a fumble that led to a Wisconsin field goal. “He goes running into the locker so I’m thinking, I’m telling Dex (Dexter Williams), ‘OK, this is your time. Indiana entered the day with a Big Ten-leading 18 takeaways and used an early turnover to take the lead for good. Wisconsin had moved the ball to the Indiana 39 when Tiawan Mullen sacked Mertz and knocked the ball loose.

Northwestern players celebrate after they defeated Wisconsin 17-7 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Michigan’s defensive line coach took to the airwaves Monday to express his disappointment and frustration in the way his unit performed over the weekend against Wisconsin. “If you’re not embarrassed with those numbers, then you shouldn’t be part of this frickin' game,” Nua said on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. It’s just unacceptable.”Nua’s group totaled just one sack of Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz all game and struggled to provide pressure, a hallmark of coordinator Don Brown’s defense. Through four games, Michigan ranks 10th in the Big Ten in rushing defense (178.5 yards per game) and 10th in sacks (six). Those numbers — that’s not Michigan football.”Meanwhile, Michigan continues to deal with injuries to key players up front.

We weren’t containing.”Michigan was playing without its two starting defensive ends, Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye, forcing it to reshuffle the defensive line. And from the very beginning, Wisconsin worked to exploit an inexperienced bunch. The play, originating from Michigan 33-yard line, helped set up their first touchdown of the game. “With those jet sweeps, you think not everyone is involved in that play,” Kemp said. It also puts Michigan’s defense in a tricky situation entering the back half of its current eight-game schedule.

13 Wisconsin (2-0) never took its foot off the gas in a 49-11 victory, handing Michigan (1-3) its third straight loss. 13 Badgers smash Wolverines for easy road win (CBS Sports)Michigan destroyed by No. 13 Wisconsin in latest embarrassing loss for Jim Harbaugh (Yahoo)After another disheartening loss, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh vows to evaluate ‘everything that we’re doing’ (ESPN)Back in business: Wisconsin Badgers firing on all cylinders in historic rout of Michigan Wolverines (Wisconsin State Journal)No. 13 Wisconsin routs Michigan 49-11 in 1st game in 3 weeks (Associated Press)Penn State or Michigan: Which Big Ten power has been the bigger flop in 2020? (Sporting News)Jim Harbaugh’s awful season continues (Yahoo)Badgers QB Graham Mertz shakes off rust to lead Wisconsin past Michigan Wolverines (Wisconsin State Journal)Not much else to say about Jim Harbaugh's Michigan team.

Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) gets away from Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (4) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. 13 Wisconsin build a big lead in a 49-11 rout of Michigan on Saturday night. “It was great to get back to playing.”The Wolverines (1-3) fell behind 28-0 at halftime, their largest deficit at home since the Big House opened in 1927, and are off to their worst start since 1967. The team announced that 10 players would not be available to play at Michigan, but didn't say why they were out of the lineup. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Badgers might up a little after slipping in the two weeks they were idle after rising to No.

Michigan lost the game, 49-11, to a 13th-ranked Wisconsin team that had not played a game in over three weeks. Despite the layoff, Wisconsin took advantage of a pair of mistakes early on by Michigan, off to its first 1-3 start to a season since 1967. Wisconsin carved up Michigan’s new-look defensive line, rushing for 341 yards and five touchdowns while amassing 468 yards of total offense. It was the most rushing yards allowed by the Wolverines since last year’s 35-14 loss to the Badgers (359). The Michigan offense showed signs of life in the second quarter, marching 74 yards on 13 plays to the Badgers' 1-yard line before turning the football over on downs.

13 Wisconsin on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC) down two starting offensive tackles and a second defensive end. Michigan showed a defensive front of fifth-year senior Carlo Kemp, redshirt junior Donovan Jeter, sophomore Chris Hinton — three tackles — and redshirt sophomore end Taylor Upshaw. Expect junior Luiji Vilain to see extended time, along with redshirt freshman Gabe Newburg. Michigan is coming off back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Indiana, leaving it reeling just three games into the truncated nine-game Big Ten season. — Michigan has all three scholarship quarterbacks in uniform (Joe Milton, Cade McNamara, Dan Villari), along with two walk-ons.

Wisconsin 49, Michigan 119:36 – Michigan drive start on own 25That Cade McNamara efficiency from the first drive faded quickly. Wisconsin 35, Michigan 39:04 – Michigan drive starts on own 4The Wolverines went three-and-out deep in their own territory. Wisconsin 28, Michigan 312:52 – Wisconsin drive starts on own 25Michigan had another takeaway overturned upon review. Wisconsin 28, Michigan 010:07 – Michigan drive starts on own 25It was still ugly at times, but Michigan found the end zone for the first time tonight. Wisconsin 21, Michigan 0FIRST QUARTER4:30 – Wisconsin drive starts on own 40Michigan has had no answer for Wisconsin’s jet sweeps.

Here are five things we learned about Michigan football this week. Hutchinson has been one of the Wolverines' most productive defensive players the past two seasons and won’t easily be replaced. Harbaugh agitated when asked about Michigan futureHarbaugh’s contract situation continues to receive national attention with Michigan’s slow start. Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers. Michigan football players, families adjust to new Big Ten postgame protocolsSpeed gets freshman WR Roman Wilson on the field quickly for Michigan footballMichigan secondary coach: ‘We’re going to get it fixed’

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is looking to get back on track after a difficult couple of weeks, but nobody really knows know what to expect from this Wisconsin team. Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls out instructions in the fourth quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. After Mertz’s positive test was announced, more than a dozen other Wisconsin players tested positive and were forced to sit out. It’s unclear which players are still ineligible for the Michigan game. If the COVID-19 outbreak is still affecting Wisconsin, Michigan could have a chance.

We address several of those, take your Jim Harbaugh questions and plenty more in the mailbag this week. But you can also submit your questions to Aaron McMann on Twitter or via email (amcmann@mlive.com) with “Ask Aaron” in the subject line. Jim Harbaugh has said that Gray is the team’s best corner, and Green has shown flashes of good play through three games. Q: Is there any indication as to why Jim Harbaugh has tamed down so much in the back half of his tenure? I really think Jim made a conscious effort to focus all of his attention on the team and trying to get it over the hump.

Here are score predictions from MLive’s Wolverines beat writers. I have a hard time believing talented redshirt freshman Graham Mertz won’t start at quarterback if he clears COVID-19 protocol. I won’t hinge this pick on Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz playing; I’ll just say the Badgers need to get good play from whoever is under center. Prediction: Wisconsin 31, Michigan 24Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers. Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with our beat reporters, just like you would with your friends.

The 13th-ranked Badgers are set to play at Michigan on Saturday night, three weeks after their season-opening win. Wisconsin has been idle because it canceled two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. “It’s been kind of weird and sad a little bit, not being able to play," Badgers receiver Kendric Pryor said. The Badgers bounced back well enough with testing results that athletic director Barry Alvarez announced Monday the team would be back on the field against the Wolverines (1-2, 1-2), confident that the coronavirus outbreak has been handled. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 24, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, might play at Michigan.

More: Wisconsin still uncertain of starting QB vs. MichiganQ: I think many folks were surprised by how well Graham Mertz played Week 1 against Illinois. Had it been a normal offseason, I think Mertz and Coan would’ve had a true battle. Q: When Michigan fans think of Wisconsin, they often think of its run game. I think Wisconsin capitalizes on a few mistakes to take a lead, but the Wolverines keep it close throughout. Michigan players, families adjust to new Big Ten postgame protocolsColumn: Michigan has lost its identity on defenseRecruiting report: Where does U-M turn after missing on DT Rayshaun Benny?

But whether the redshirt freshman quarterback starts for the Badgers Saturday at Michigan remains unclear. Wisconsin offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph told reporters Wednesday that Mertz remains in the Big Ten’s 21-day return-to-competition protocol after testing positive for COVID-19. So we’ll kind of see on him and a couple of other guys that were in that early group of it (testing positive).”Rudolph said Mertz remains No. 13 Wisconsin (1-0) had its previous two games canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak but it is on track to face Michigan (1-2). But that’s the biggest thing about football is adjusting.”Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

This weekend’s scheduled football game between Michigan and Wisconsin is on. 13 Wisconsin, whose program was rocked by a COVID-19 outbreak in late-October, believes it has “a handle on the situation” and plans to move forward with preparing for Saturday’s game in Ann Arbor (7:30 p.m., ABC), according to a Monday afternoon announcement. The team says it has reported zero positive cases in five of the last six days of testing. Wisconsin reports five active cases and says one student-athlete and one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19 since last Monday, Nov. 2. Asked about the safety and well-being of his team on Monday, before Wisconsin made the announcement, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said his team was approaching the week as if it was going to play a game.

Wisconsin' game against Purdue on Saturday has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak, putting its Big Ten title game hopes in jeopardy. The positive cases consist of 15 student-athletes and 12 staff members, the school announced Tuesday. Wisconsin’s Oct. 31 game against Nebraska also was canceled because of a high number of coronavirus cases. “I share in the disappointment of our student-athletes and staff,” Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said in a release. According to the release, Wisconsin plans to provide another update on Saturday, Nov. 7.

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin has canceled Saturday's home game against Purdue, the second straight game the 10th-ranked Badgers have called off as COVID-19 cases within their team continue to rise. This marks the second consecutive week that Wisconsin has canceled a game due to the virus outbreak. Ten players and 11 staffers have tested positive over the last seven days. The second cancellation gives Wisconsin little room for error in its quest to reach a second straight conference championship game. The Big Ten requires teams to play at least six games to be eligible for the league championship game.

Michigan State is the aggressor, the instate bully and almost always the more well-prepared team in this matchup. (Last week: 9)Up next: Iowa vs. Michigan State, 12 p.m. Saturday11. MICHIGAN STATE (1-1)Maybe this is why Tucker didn’t seem particularly fazed about the Spartans' seven-turnover debut against Rutgers. That belief clearly resonated with his players, as Michigan State started aggressive and gained confidence with each snap Saturday. (Last week: 1)Up next: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

The Wisconsin vs. Nebraska football game this weekend has been canceled as cases of COVID-19 continue to spread throughout the Badgers program. COVID-19 has been a hot topic in Madison as star quarterback Graham Mertz had his positive test confirmed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the university announced the team will pause all team activities for at least seven days because of the outbreak. “This morning, I received the news that I had tested positive via a PCR test I took yesterday,” Chryst said. Wisconsin-Nebraska is the first Big Ten game to be canceled this year, but with COVID-19 cases continuing to spike around the Midwest, it will certainly be difficult to avoid further interruptions to the shortened season.

9 Wisconsin canceled its game at Nebraska and paused team activities for at least a week after a dozen people in the program — including coach Paul Chryst — tested positive for COVID-19. Alvarez said the team had only one positive test two days before Friday's season-opening 45-7 victory over Illinois and 12 positive tests afterward. Alvarez said Wisconsin had reached the “orange/red” levels in the Big Ten protocols based on its rate of positive tests. The announcement followed reports that quarterback Graham Mertz had tested positive twice – which would require him to sit out at least 21 days under Big Ten protocols – and that backup quarterback Chase Wolf had tested positive at least once. “We’ll see where we are as far as testing, and we’ll make that decision as we move closer to the game,” Alvarez said.

What happens if an outbreak hits a team’s quarterback room? “Obviously this year there’s some things that will be unique,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said Monday without specifically discussing his players’ test results. “I think there certainly were those questions after the decision was made,” Ohio State team physician Jim Borchers said last week. And that’s all we really paid attention to.”Big Ten protocols say that athletes who test positive through point-of-contact daily testing must take a polymerase chain reaction test to confirm the first result. While Wisconsin awaits answers, Big Ten teams continue reminding quarterbacks about the potential risks inherent in this unusual season.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz’s next game after his stellar debut could be against Michigan. After having a COVID-19 antigen test come back positive on Saturday, Mertz received a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Tuesday to confirm, according CBS Sports. Wisconsin might have to start fourth-string quarterback Danny Vanden Boom in Saturday’s game at Nebraska after third-stringer Chase Wolf also tested positive, according to reports. However, Wolf’s positive test has not yet been confirmed. If a team’s positivity rate -- the number of positive tests divided by total number of tests administered -- based on a seven-day rolling average exceeds five percent, it would not be allowed to play.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s unclear whether Wisconsin will be without star QB Graham Mertz -- and possibly its top three quarterbacks -- when it travels to Ann Arbor in three weeks to play Michigan. Over the weekend, reports emerged that Mertz had tested positive for COVID-19. That first positive test came from an antigen test, and on Tuesday, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd reported that Mertz tested positive for a second time -- presumably through a polymerase chain reaction test. That would be exactly 21 days from Mertz’s positive test, and according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, he would be allowed to return to action that day. Unfortunately, Wolf has also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, though he hasn’t had a second positive test confirmed.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst declined to comment on the situation. Mertz’s backup, Chase Wolf, has also tested positive, according to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 100 for FitzNorthwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald won his 100th game on Saturday with a 43-3 thumping of Maryland. Indiana wanted Penn State to score, and the Nittany Lions obliged, opening the door for Indiana’s eventual overtime victory. “It’s my job as the head coach to make sure everybody clearly understands those situations and obviously right there that didn’t happen,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal both reported that Mertz had tested positive. The Journal-Sentinel reported Mertz’s positive test came Saturday, one day after the Badgers’ 45-7 season-opening home victory over Illinois. Both papers reported that Mertz would be undergoing a second test to determine if the first result was a false positive. Big Ten protocols say that athletes who test positive through point-of-contact daily testing must take a polymerase chain reaction test to confirm the first result. Chryst said he has no problem with the Big Ten’s 21-day policy, which is more stringent than those of most conferences regarding players who test positive.

MICHIGAN STATE (0-1)A double-digit favorite at home, against what has been the Big Ten’s worst program. (Last week: 11)Up next: Michigan State at Michigan, 12 p.m. Saturday12. (Last week: 2)Up next: Penn State vs. Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday4. Not Saturday against Penn State, when Michael Penix Jr. inched into the end zone for a 2-point conversation and an overtime upset. Now Ohio State gets a Penn State that is scratching its heads over a game it should have won.

14 Badgers beat Illinois 45-7 on Friday night to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten football season. Mertz became the first-team quarterback after returning starter Jack Coan underwent foot surgery on Oct. 7, leaving him out indefinitely. After Illinois fumbled the ball away on the game’s second play from scrimmage, Mertz hit fullback Jason Stokke for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Mertz responded to Illinois’ touchdown by throwing a 34-yard completion to Ferguson and then hitting the senior tight end again for a 14-yard score with 1:06 left in the half. After Illinois went three-and-out on its next series, Mertz threw deep and found Danny Davis for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left until halftime.

Donovan Peoples-Jones escapes the tackle of T.J. Edwards during a punt return on Oct. 13, 2018, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. When fans talk about the upcoming season, they usually point to the three home games against rivals Ohio State, Michigan State and Notre Dame. But why isn't anyone talking about the Wisconsin game? Alex Hornibrook throws a pass while playing Michigan on Oct. 13, 2018, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Since that game, Michigan is 0-4 in Madison, including losses by 16, 21 and 14 points in the last three matchups.