Each week, AnnArbor.com will chat with a beat writer/radio personality from the team Michigan is facing.

This week, we welcome Illinois football beat writer Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune to chat about Ron Zook, Juice Williams and the interesting season the Illini have had.

Michael Rothstein: What has been up with Illinois this year? How did they end up being so bad?

Shannon Ryan: "From the season opener, nothing has clicked. Everyone expected an explosive offense, but they've produced fewer points than any team in the Big Ten. Some of it can be probably be traced to adjusting under a new offensive coordinator, but the lack of production and connection between Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn is really inexplicable and unexpected."

MR: Has Juice Williams really progressed at all or has he stagnated?

SR: "If anything, he's gotten worse this season. He seems tight, which might be a byproduct of knowing he can be yanked any second. Coach Ron Zook is going to a two-quarterback system, using Williams and redshirt freshman Jacob Charest. Charest looked decent playing three series in his college debut last week against Purdue. Zook isn't saying who's starting, but if Charest plays well I wouldn't be surprised if he starts receiving the majority of the snaps."

MR: What is the major defensive issue?

SR: "They can't play a whole game. They performed well in the second half against Penn State and Purdue, keeping each from scoring an offensive touchdown after halftime. A lot of players are inexperienced as well. Linebacker Martez Wilson's season-ending neck injury certainly left them exposed. The secondary has been banged up as well."

MR: How does Illinois win this game?
SR: "They've got to get going in the first half. Other than against Illinois State, Illinois hadn't scored a first-quarter touchdown until last week against Purdue. They only have two first-half touchdowns (other than against ISU) this season."

MR: Has Ron Zook lost this team?

SR: "Players sound sincere when they state their confidence in him. This doesn't seem to be a case of players tuning out the head coach. There's been little finger pointing. But game after game, players and coaches don't have an answer for what's going wrong."