Illinois Football: Opening Thoughts Against the Michigan Wolverines
The Illinois football team beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this past Saturday in what was a building block game for the future.
This win was big for team morale and it moved the Illini to a record of 2-4 on the season. But, this week they take on a slightly tougher opponent.
Illinois heads northeast this weekend to take on the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines up in Ann Arbor.
One word really sums up this game, scary.
Now, believe me, I want Illinois to win this game and upset a top-five team in the nation. There is nothing more special than taking down a giant.
But, I am also realistic about where this program is right now. Illinois isn’t on the same field talent wise and as of right now coaching as well.
This Michigan football team probably has more four and five-star players on their team right now than Illinois has had in the history of the program.
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In addition to the talent gap, Illinois also has a new coach trying to piece together a competitive team. Lovie Smith continues to tinker around with lineups and it is still a learning process for him.
This combination of talent gap and coach learning gap is a recipe for disaster, normally.
Despite these negatives, I think there are a few things Illinois can do this weekend that would draw some positives.
If Illinois goes out there and competes with this Michigan team, and keeps it respectable into the fourth quarter, then I would take away a moral victory.
Michigan is 6-0 on the season and has only had one win less than double-digits and that was to No. 8 Wisconsin two weeks ago.
The rest of their games were pretty much blowouts. They beat Rutgers 78-0, Penn State 49-10, UCF 51-14, and Hawaii 63-3.
Jim Harbaugh has been dominant with a steady offense and great defense. That has been the name of the game for him wherever he has coached.
Michigan currently leads the nation in total yards per game given up with 212.8 yards each game. That is No. 1 by a large margin as well.
The reason this team is so good is because of the defense and the lack of mistakes on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback Wilton Speight isn’t an All-American by any means, but he is a solid player. He doesn’t turn the ball over and that is huge.
Speight has thrown for 1,194 yards, 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions this season. If Illinois wants a chance at keeping this game close, their front four led by Dawuane Smoot needs to get pressure on Speight.
If Illinois can put up any type of offensive production on Michigan this weekend I will be happy. This is arguably the best defense in the nation and Illinois is continuing to look for answers on offense.
This game is going to be tough, but it is a great gauge to see where this team in compared to the top of the Big Ten. Hopefully, the Illini can keep in respectable on Saturday.
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