Hail to the Badgers...

They are the winningest program in college football. They were a Big Ten contender year in and year out. They still are Michigan, but not your grandfather's Michigan.

To say that Rich Rodriguez is in the hot seat would be in the hot seat would be an understatement. The only "person" on a hotter seat than Rodriguez is Satan himself. Since Rodriguez left West Virginia following the 2007 season, Michigan has went a whopping 8-16, and has suffered two consecuative losing seasons. In the history of Michigan football, which started in 1879, the Wolverines have never had three consecutive losing seasons.

The heat is definitely on in Michigan, but it should be cooling off in November. Not because they'll be winning...because this team will be so deep in the cellar they can't get out. The final two games for the Wolverines are by no means easy, facing Wisconsin and Ohio State, and the players should be completely checked out by then.

The Wolverines have a lot of question marks coming into this season. One of the big ones being who will be the starting quarterback. One would assume that Tate Forcier will be the starter at the season opener, but this team has so much going on it is no guarantee that Forcier will still be under center by the Wisconsin game.

Defensively Michigan needs a lot of work as well. Last season the Wolverines gave up almost 400 yards a game, and over 170 on the ground per game. Those two statistics should have the Badger runningbacks licking their chops heading into Ann Arbor.

In response to the struggles aginst the run the Wolverines are swtichign to a 3-3-5 defense coming into this season. A defense that puts and emphasis on speed in the secondary, and should create a better pass rush will do nothing against the Wisconsin offense. While the new defensive scheme will put more players in the secondary, it should also put more runningbacks in the secondary. A place that John Clay and Montee Ball would love to spend the afternoon.

It is no secret that the "Big House" has been a house of horros for the Badgers in recent years. Just remember Rodriguez's first encounter with the Badgers when the Wolverines mounted a big second half comeback to beat Bucky. But this is a different team now, and a different defense. That year it was the defense that made the difference in the game for the Wolverines, and it should be the same this year. Just not in Michigan's favor.

Wisconsin will run all over the Wolverines with Clay and Ball, and then make big plays in the passing game with Nick Toon and Lance Kendricks. The Michigan offense at times can be powerful but may be a few years away from being complete. At this point in the season, Wisconsin should be playing solid defense, and the Badgers should tear apart the Wolverine offense.

All in all, this is an improving team in Ann Arbor this season. While it may not show in the record, Michigan will be improving, but it may not be enough to save Rodriguez's job. And a loss to Wisconsin will not help. Good luck against Brutus in Columbus the following week...that will be Rodriguez's last chance to get off the hot seat before he gets burned.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction: Badgers 35 Wolverines 13