The Illinois Fighting Illini have an opportunity to defeat the Michigan Wolverines for the first time in 15 years on Saturday afternoon when the two teams square off in a ranked Big Ten tilt. This week’s game will be the first time the teams had seen each other since 2022 when Illinois nearly pulled off the massive upset over the third-ranked Wolverines but fell 19-17 on a last-second game-winning field goal from Jake Moody. While a tight matchup was a surprise in that game, nobody will be shocked if this year’s bout comes down to the wire, with this being the first ranked matchup in the series since 2001.
The outcome of this game will prove to be a defining moment in the season for both teams. Michigan is hoping that the first year of the Sherrone Moore era gets closer to resembling their 2023 form when they won the National Championship, and Illinois is hoping for a program-changing victory in their fourth year under Bret Bielema. Both teams present interesting matchups and obstacles for one another, and if Illinois is going to pull out the win at home, there are some factors that they have to focus on.
Maintain Balance on Offense
Michigan has been one of the best programs in all of college football at dominating the line of scrimmage and limiting the run game on defense. The brand of physical football that Jim Harbaugh instilled in the Wolverines is still present in the first year of Sherrone Moore’s tenure but has certainly been dialed back a bit. Between Harbaugh’s exodus to the NFL and the wholesale changes in personnel, Michigan hasn’t been able to replicate its superiority up front.
Illinois hasn’t shown that it can establish an advantage up front against Big Ten foes. Penn State and Purdue put the Fighting Illini on blast with their play on the line of scrimmage, and the result for the Illinois offense has been struggles in the running game. Facing a strong secondary that features presumptive first-round pick Will Johnson, the Fighting Illini passing game is going to need help from a running game that they haven’t been able to consistently provide.
Head Coach Bret Bielema has said that starting running back Kaden Feagin is going to be a game-time decision. Josh McCray did a good job of filling in last week but this Michigan team presents a tough assignment for any hopes Illinois has of keeping a strong rushing attack through this game in the form of Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. To make Luke Altmyer and the passing game’s job easier, Illinois needs to maintain balance on offense.
Create 3rd Downs on Defense
Jack Tuttle is going under center for the Michigan Wolverines. Tuttle, the seventh-year veteran, is the Wolverines’ third quarterback to try his hand as the signal caller for Sherrone Moore’s offense. Davis Warren and Alex Orji had some success but their shortcomings left a lot to be desired, leading to Tuttle’s opportunity to play. Tuttle’s first and only start of the season was the loss to Washington and he gave a playbook for Aaron Henry’s defense to attack.
Tuttle showed vulnerability when it came to 3rd down. Michigan’s offense is predicated on running the ball and staying ahead of the chains, keeping the defense on their heels and unable to sell out on the passing game. When he found himself in obvious throwing situations, Jack Tuttle was often flustered. Getting to 3rd down is a huge ask for an Illinois defense that has been susceptible to the run, but if they can make Tuttle beat them on 3rd down, they have some good opportunities to get off the field and keep the Wolverines off the scoreboard.
Don’t Make Unforced Errors
This Illinois team has been fairly balanced and even-keeled in its wins and when it plays into its identity. On offense, it loves using its split-flow option schemes to keep the defense on its toes, and it likes to mix up its personnel and points of attack when it’s on defense. When it strays away from what it wants to do, it often gets frazzled and makes unforced errors.
Michigan has the capacity to take full advantage of teams that make mistakes and unforced errors. In a hotly-contested and tight game, this could prove to be the difference. If the Wolverines can make Illinois pay, the game shifts drastically in their favor. Whether it be forcing Luke Altmyer off schedule or confusing the second levels of the Fighting Illini defense, Michigan will be eager to invite Illinois to get in their own way. Buttoning up all operations is going to have to be one of Bret Bielema’s top messages to his team if he wants to leave with a win.
Always Be Alert
The championship pedigree of this Michigan program can still be felt on the field. They may have had to replenish much of their team from a season ago, but they still have the DNA ingrained in them to make winning plays. Illinois has been a shocking 5-1 team in 2024 and is not used to playing big-time football. In big moments and in the margins, Michigan comes in with the advantage. This isn’t to say that the Wolverines will definitely be the more polished team on Saturday, but Illinois is going to have to stay alert for at least 60 minutes if they want to avoid giving this game away.
Two of Michigan’s wins this season could’ve easily been losses if they didn’t stay poised and more alert than their opponent. If this game is close throughout, the Wolverine’s championship tissue could help deliver them a victory. Illinois’ players, and perhaps more importantly, coaches, are going to have to be sharp and aware of what the situation dictates all day long. The Orange Krush doesn’t want to lose this game and they especially don’t want to leave Memorial Stadium in defeat because of simple mistakes and miscalculations from their Illinois Fighting Illini.
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