Well, it’s here: Michigan’s first critical test of the year.

This Saturday, the No. 14 Wolverines face the Wisconsin Badgers, who just got their tails handed to them by Notre Dame this past weekend.

Badgers QB Graham Mertz has thrown 6 INTs, including a pair of pick-6s to the Irish.

Michigan barely skated by Rutgers, needing a fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter by LB Junior Colson to put the game in UM’s pocket. A 20-13 win didn’t cover the spread and it didn’t do too much to excite a picky fanbase. But hey, the Wolverines are 4-0 and limiting opponents to 15.6 points per game — so simmer down, Overly Critical Michigan Fan.

The little to-do in Madison will likely have B1G implications, so it’s a meaningful game for both teams: Michigan wants to get to 5-0 and prove itself to the rest of the college football world, and Wisconsin wants to rebound from a shellacking in Chicago.

Against the Scarlet Knights, Michigan’s star players were somewhat held in check. But in order to beat Wisconsin, the Wolverines will have to play their best game of the season — in their first foray away from Ann Arbor — and get the most out of their key players.

Here’s who and what to watch for on the UM side entering Saturday’s Big Ten opener for the Wolverines — other than at QB, because Cade McNamara is going to play a crucial role every week.

Blake Corum – get those legs moving

The Big Ten’s leader in kick returns, Blake Corum has 6 for 191 yards with a long of 79. He’s the national leader in all-purpose yards and No. 3 in rushing in the Big Ten with 475 yards, with 7 TDs. However, he was pretty much shut down vs. Rutgers, rushing for a season-low 68 yards. He did have 142 all-purpose yards, though, with 63 coming on kick returns.

If he runs well, it’s “game over” for Wisconsin. If he returns well, it’s even more a of a “game over” situation. He’s absolutely the key to beating the Badgers.

Aidan Hutchinson – on the prowl

Tied for the national lead in sacks, Hutchinson’s 5.5 takedowns of QBs are perhaps the biggest highlight of Michigan’s defense through 4 games. A sure-to-be All-America honoree and likely top 10 NFL Draft pick, the senior DE will have to get to Mertz in order to force errant throws and, ultimately, turnovers.

Secondary – all of them

Speaking of turnovers, the Wolverines have 1 interception this year — and that was Gemon Green vs. NIU. Turnovers change games, and it’s not out of line to expect a one-score game between UM and Wisconsin. Vincent Gray, RJ Moten, Brad Hawkins and Dax Hill, among others, will need to blanket receivers and do their best to pull off a Jourdan Lewis impression.

You remember one of the best INTs you’ll ever see, right? The one-handed pick Lewis had vs. Wisconsin in 2016 nailed down a 14-7 victory.

It might not happen exactly like that, but someone in the secondary has to step up and cash in off Mertz’s mistakes.

AJ Henning – fly AJ, fly

This game might come down to a special teams play, so Henning is an obvious guy to key in on Saturday. No. 5 in the Big Ten with 99 punt return yards, Henning averages roughly 17 yards every time he touches the ball when it’s coming off the foot of a punter. He’s had 3 returns of 24 or more yards, with a long of 29 vs. Rutgers.

Also a receiver, he’ll likely have to perform well in that capacity as well if the Wolverines want to down the Badgers.

He didn’t have a catch against the Scarlet Knights, but he had a 24-yard reception vs. Northern Illinois. Against Washington, he had a 1-yard catch, and he contributed with an 11-yarder vs. Western Michigan.

Prediction

Both teams are looking to make a statement. It’s Week 5, and the Badgers have already had a 16-10 season-opening loss to Penn State and a brutal, turnover-filled 41-13 loss to Notre Dame. Their only win was 34-3 over Eastern Michigan. A loss Saturday would all but end Wisconsin’s chances of competing for a Big Ten title.

The Wolverines didn’t look awe-inspiring against Rutgers, but they’ve put up some big numbers. If they’re for real, they’ll find a way to win a one-score game at Camp Randall.

Michigan 21, Wisconsin 17