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Wednesday, September 27
Updated: September 28, 6:30 PM ET
 
Chalk Talk: Fletcher and Terrell too close to call

ESPN.com

The Matchup:
Michigan WR David Terrell vs. Wisconsin CB Jamar Fletcher.

The Question:
Who will win the head-to-head battle between Terrell and Fletcher?

David Terrell   Jamar Fletcher
 
By John Mackovic
Special to ESPN.com

This is an easy one. David Terrell has all of the advantages in this matchup and should win without question. Jamar Fletcher will be rusty from sitting last week. There are two negatives for Fletcher: First of all, the Badgers are not getting the pressure on the passer this year as they have done in previous years, and secondly they are playing on grass. Jamar is also a "cluer" -- he watches the quarterback while covering his man. This is why he is a great interceptor, but it also means he will give up big plays from time to time because he will guess wrong.

David Terrell has everything going for him. John Navarre did a great job finding Terrell downfield, but it's good Drew Henson is back. Michigan is one of the best teams in the country at protecting the passer. No defensive back has a chance when good quarterbacks get time. Forget the blitz; if Wisconsin brings too many people and leaves Fletcher all alone in space, Terrell will have the entire field to roam around. The Wolverines are a deep throwing team, which is just another advantage for Terrell.

  By Bill Curry
Special to ESPN.com

Coaching football at the highest levels involves maximum utilization of available talent. In college ball, rapid evaluation of that talent very often determines success or failure. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove is one of the best at both utilization and evaluation, so when he described Jamar Fletcher as a "special player" three years ago, I raised my eyebrows. Kevin smiled, acknowledged my cynicism, and said, "Just watch him."

I have watched, and Cosgrove was right. Actually, I find Fletcher well beyond "special". He is the best defensive back since Charles Woodson, and one of the five best defensive players in the country. Fletcher is good enough to shut down David Terrell, but he will need a little help from his friends. Specifically, he will need help from free safety Jason Doering when the coverage calls for it. And he will need heat on the quarterback from Wendell Bryant and his buddies up front.

Since Terrell needs his QB and offensive line to do their collective thing, lets call the terms of the duel dead even. Look for a long, hard fight -- with no knockout, and no TKO. I like Fletcher in a unanimous decision.







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David Terrell beats two men for a TD.
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