Five reasons the Michigan football team should fear Illinois
Illinois is 1-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play - the only winless team in conference. But Saturday’s game is hardly a gimme for Michigan. Here are five reasons beat writer Dave Birkett believes it’s OK to fear the Illini.
Jamba Juice: He’s having an awful season at quarterback, but who can forget what Juice Williams did to Michigan last year? Two touchdowns and 310 yards passing, two more scores and 121 yards rushing. Williams will split time with backup Jacob Charest on Saturday, but he’s the type of spread quarterback that’s given Michigan fits in the past and the Wolverines aren’t exactly crushing on defense this year.Benn there, done that: Williams has the most talented receiver in the Big Ten at his disposal in Arrelious Benn. The junior has just 25 catches for 287 yards and no touchdowns this year, but he missed the better part of two games with injuries and began to show signs of life two weeks ago against Indiana (nine catches, 95 yards). He could have a field day against Michigan’s subpar secondary.
Security detail: Michigan ranks last in the Big Ten with a minus-7 turnover margin and has a whopping 13 turnovers in four conference games. Illinois isn’t much better - 10 turnovers in five Big Ten games - but poor ball security on the road is always a recipe for disaster.
Health clinic: Center David Molk is out for the season with a torn ACL. Running back Brandon Minor (ankle, heel), and receivers Martavious Odoms (knee) and Junior Hemingway (knee) are questionable with injuries, and there are still legitimate concerns about quarterback Tate Forcier’s shoulder. Michigan’s once potent offense hardly resembles its September self.Power of one: Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and Illinois’ Ron Zook both expressed sentiment this week that the Illini are one Saturday away from turning things around. “I really felt like it was going to happen last week, particularly in the third quarter there, we got a little mojo going and you could feel it for the first time in a few weeks,” Zook said. “I think the thing is we’re not as far away as it seems, even though it seems like we’re light years away.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
uminks
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:46 p.m.
"I hate what this coach has done to our beloved Wolverines. Well, let's hope for the best. He can double his road-win total at Michigan with a victory on Saturday. Yep, that's right. RichRod has only one road win in more than 1 1/2 seasons here." Really? You should be blaming the last coach for this defense! If there is no substantial improvement in the defense during the 2011 season than I will start blaming RR!
uminks
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:41 p.m.
If the ILLINI had a defense may be I would fear them. They are probably the only other team in the b10 with a worse defense than our own. I think both teams will score points. UM 38 IL 31.
azwolverine
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:21 p.m.
Illinois is 1-6, 0-5 in the Big Ten. I understand respecting everyone you play, but if Michigan can't win this one easily, the issues are deeper than even I suspected.
Paratrooper72
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 4:42 p.m.
the way things have gone this year, Illinois will pick this saturday to come alive. Michigan better hope this isn't the case, Juice lit them up last year and this secondary (michigan's) looks like it couldn't stop a cripled little old lady from torching them! what a season so far!
CapitalX
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:49 p.m.
i agree. its tough for a young team to win road games. RR better find a way to win at Illinois. Or he could enter into year 3 with 1 road victory.
CapitalX
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:38 p.m.
i agree. its tough for a young team to win road games. RR better find a way to win at Illinois. Or he could enter into year 3 with 1 road victory.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:28 p.m.
So, Michigan is playing a team with a power rating down in the MAC zone right now. The Wolverines should be 20-30 point favorites with all the talent on their roster. However, Coach Gimmick and the No-Defense Bunch are only favored by 7, and there's every reason to worry about an upset. I hate what this coach has done to our beloved Wolverines. Well, let's hope for the best. He can double his road-win total at Michigan with a victory on Saturday. Yep, that's right. RichRod has only one road win in more than 1 1/2 seasons here.
tcmaizefan
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:35 a.m.
I do not think this is a Coach Rodriguez issue. This is about veteran players letting their leadership show by their actions on the field and off. At least on the field, many of these seniors have failed and it has nothing to do with Rodriguez in my opinion! I suggest Minor, Brown, Matthews, and others clear their minds and hold on to the ball for a change.
Badnewsbarrister
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:10 a.m.
The lack of senior leadership is at least partially RR's fault. Most successful teams have senior captains who are chosen by the players. By selecting captains, the players commit to follow their chosen leaders. By accepting captaincy, the captains commit to lead the troops the entire season. RR's system of picking "game captains" allows him to retain one more facet of control over the team. It eliminates the players' "buy in" to the team leadership since it changes from week to week and they have no say in the matter. It also dilutes the leadership influence of the seniors since none have the official mantra of captaincy.
tcmaizefan
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:22 a.m.
I agree with the writer 100%. My fellow Michigan fans need to take their rose-tinted glasses off. We are very young, have not won a road game, cannot to hold onto the ball including our seniors, have a multitude of injuries, major depth problems, and poor senior leadership. This game will be a nail-biter. I say Michigan 20-17 on a late field goal.
Fresh121
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:11 a.m.
What is ur deal with the red wristband that represents heart disease awarness,and if you wear a pink 1 for breast cancer take that 1 off too? Well were pretty dinged up at this point and ill is looking for a big game so those 2 dont look great for us..its time for us 2 show some heart after gettin punched in the mouth by penn st,We pull the win of though.Go Blue ill-21 Mich-28
foreigner
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:43 a.m.
The writer forgot to write about Michigan's record on the road this year and their record on the road overall under RR. None of it should matter though. This is a game Michigan better not lose.
Warrior9
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:27 a.m.
Hey rightmind250, You forget all the talent Lloyd had went into the NFL. Henne, Long, Harris, Hart, Manningham, Harrington, Crable. I could go on and on.
vi4mi4
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:44 a.m.
Reason #6- r.r. and the 4th string q.b. wearing red wristbands on the BLUE sideline Ban The Wristband! Go Blue! v
rightmind250
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:13 a.m.
Oh by the way. I think UM should forget about Sunday and maybe try to show up on Saturday for once.
rightmind250
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:06 a.m.
Hey tater, I like your logic. Richrod's got old Zooker beat already. He's averaging what 9 losses a year with the same talent that Lloyd beat Urban Meyer's defending National champion team. Where do you come up with this bs.