Week 6: Illinois at Michigan

After last week’s exciting win over Wisconsin, what more can be expected of this young Wolverine squad? Not much this week against an Illinois squad that is probably more balanced than the Badgers, and one that won’t make the same mistakes.

Illinois is in deep need of a conference win to straighten out a year that’s gone astray. However, the Illini’s 2-2 record does not tell of the level of opponents they’ve faced thus far (losses are to a pair of top six teams, Missouri and Penn State). Michigan, on the other hand, has played about as well as it could have to earn its 2-2 mark, and is probably out-matched in this game.

Michigan was lucky to have faced a dead-footed quarterback last week. On Saturday they will struggle to contain Juice Williams, and their secondary may not have an answer for sophomore Arrelious Benn, who is finally starting to find his stride for this season (110 yards, two scores last week).

To compete, Michigan must create pressure on Williams and force him to commit turnovers. And that solution is not so far fetched. The Wolverines have tallied a very respectable 15 sacks so far this season, and the Illini rank 10th in turnover margin (of course, it’s only fair to point out that Michigan ranks 11th in the same category).

Notes:

Williams averaged 297 yards of offense. He has the fifth most passing yards and ninth most rushing yards in the Big Ten.

Fans shouldn’t expect much out of the Michigan kicking game. Wolverine freshman K.C. Lopata ranks last in the conference in both field goal and extra point attempts.

The Wolverines scored 10 points in the final quarter to win their meeting against Illinois last year, 27-17.

Teams have attempted to go for it on fourth down five times this year against Michigan; the Wolverine defense has yet to allow a successful conversion.

Key Player (Illini) – Arrelious Benn, WR

Had the Badger tight ends been healthy last week they likely would have walked out of Ann Arbor with a victory. Benn is a physical weapon who is probably superior to any athlete the Wolverines have to line up across from him.

Key Player (Wolverines) – Steven Threet, QB

His 58-yard run last week was the dagger that did away with Wisconsin. If Threet’s feet can make a play or two against Illinois’ swarming defense, Michigan might actually have a shot.

Illinois by 13