Illinois Game Prediction Thread
What's your prediction for the game on Saturday, and perhaps more importantly, what are you hoping to see that would bode well for the rest of the season?
We handle the Illini easily 38-13.
Things I'd like to see:
- Run game gets it going. Illinois surrendered 300+ yards rushing in their last two games vs Minnesota and Nebraska. Need to establish some kind of ground game anytime soon.
- 6+ deep shots. Need to stretch the field and use the giant WRs. Whether or not they are successful, throw the damn deep ball
- Tempo and a sensible game plan. Can we get some tempo? Can we have a smart game plan that attacks what Illinois gives us and then has a response for when they adjust?
What you got, MGoBoard?
October 11th, 2019 at 10:31 AM ^
77-0.
You covered most of what we need to see. This needs to be the kind of game we were supposed to have at the start of the season where we get the kinks out of the new system and polish things up. That would also mean Milton and other backups getting lots of reps.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:32 AM ^
42-10
October 11th, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
6+ deep shots??? I was just hoping for 3. Baby steps.
October 11th, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
If we had 2, it would double our attempts from the Iowa game...
That would be a start.
October 11th, 2019 at 11:16 PM ^
Once we get up by 10, it will be all ball control with 3 yards and a cloud of artificial turf.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
63-10
We finally unleash the deep ball to open up the run and underneath routes.
Shea finally looks above average.
We finally throw quick outs to receivers when CBs are playing 10 yards off the LOS.
Defense dominates an undermanned team down to their 3rd QB
2nd and 3rd stringers see a lot of playing time
We are given hope (perhaps false hopes) for the rest of the season.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
Has Michigan done any orbit motions since the MTSU game? I remember being hyped seeing those presnap designs but they vanished afterwards and this conservative shit show replaced the MTSU game offense.
All I want is the MTSU offense without the turnovers. That was the only time this year the offense was exciting to watch due to the creativity.
October 11th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
Shhhhh, were saving all the really cool stuff for THEEEEE ohio game, don't tell anyone. ???
October 11th, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
We win and that, like rutger, answers precisely zero questions about the offensive struggles.
This season is condesning to two game experiences with our offense:
1. Oh no.
2. That was meaningless.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
If Shea starts: 4-3 Illinois
If Dylan starts: 65-3 Michigan
If Milton starts: 66-59 Michigan (lots of turnovers/pick sixes)
October 11th, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
How many DB's will leave the game due with upper body contusions shaped like footballs?
October 11th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
so you're going with a 4 to 3 loss then,
Shea will start and I know you are kind of just kidding about the two safeties
October 11th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
Prediction: PAIN.
I just hope that it's inflicted upon the opposition.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
36 Wolverines 13 Fighting Loveys
There's a "I'm a Lovey, not a fighter" joke waiting to happen
October 11th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^
No there's not...
October 11th, 2019 at 10:38 AM ^
Michigan - 35
Illinois - 13
The only thing that we need to see on offense is better QB play with actual QB keeps. If the QB can actually see wide open WRs, not take stupid sacks, and actually be a threat in the run game, then this offense could explode. The QB is the key to the whole offense here. Want a run game? Well, without the threat of the QB keep the run game will NEVER improve. Want a passing game? Well, the QB has to actually see the field and throw to A) Wide open receivers and B) Throw our WRs open.
QB, QB, QB, QB, QB, QB, QB.....this season will thrive or wither on the play of the QB. And if Shea continues to be a wet fart then we might as well start getting Milton some reps and gametime experience since McCaffrey is still in concussion protocol.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:38 AM ^
I predict that the competitive portion of this game will be over by mid-second quarter and we see Joe Milton by the end of the third.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:39 AM ^
I agree.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:39 AM ^
24-0
Two defensive touchdowns, and after an afternoon of a lot of swearing and gnashing of teeth on this board, one offensive touchdown.
Defense = lockdown.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
There is no way Illinois scores this week.
22 - O
October 11th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
Really? You think the D will show up this week? My impression is that they're like a blind fuckin' date... they may or may not show up, and never know what they'll look like.
Not that our D has been bad, but I wouldn't characterize them as consistent... nothing on this team has been.
Who knows, maybe Illinois has figured out slants? Seems to be something we still haven't figured out how to cover...
October 11th, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
We've had exactly one bad game on defense so far. You think Illinois is going to be able to go Wisconsin on us?
October 11th, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
Hell no... did I say that?
But I sure as hell don't see a shut out...
October 11th, 2019 at 11:22 AM ^
No, you did not say that. But I thought you were implying that the defense was not reliable enough to hold Illinois in check. I don't think we're going to be complaining about the defense after this one.
October 11th, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
We actually did figure out slants...Read the UFR, rewatch the Iowa game. We had a lot more zone and Iowa was 4 for 8 on drag routes, but those 4 come with the caveat of LB not executing, instead of being out-schemed.
Dax made an awesome play that led to the interception on one of those slants...EXACTLY what we were all hoping to see when he would finally be deployed.
The 2 plays UM gave up over the top were due to scheme change away from one trick pony Don Brown man to man defense.
Lot's to bitch about with this team, but they actually showed they can and are willing to switch to zone defense and, therefore, can better cover the drag / slant routes.
I doubt Illinois finds the hole in our defense to exploit....that's Indiana's job - to give OSU the cliff's notes on how to shit on us.
October 11th, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
Defense is ascending. McGrone and Dax and a healthy Dwumfor and healthy Ross give the D an upward trajectory. Once again, it's the unit that has to carry the team in most games.
*heavy sigh*
October 11th, 2019 at 1:06 PM ^
My reasoning is solely based on the 3 points scored by Iowa last week. I would actually be more shocked if the 22 was reached.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
34-3. Defense dominates again, Illinois QB is gonna get the Ryan Brand treatment. Offense runs the ball effectively against a terrible D, and Shea has a decent day (15-20 for 215 yards and a TD). Nothing that screams huge improvement, but hopefully more consistency in sustaining drives.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
Serious ass kicking. Illinois sucks, and the little lapses in execution aren't going to matter.
October 11th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
Ah... but they DO matter...
ALL PLAYS MATTER!
October 11th, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^
Matter in the final score.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:44 AM ^
34-13. Offense opens it up a little (but not too much....gotta save some surprises for Penn State, right?), takes a few shots downfield. Run game is the focus. The defense does its job.....nothing too exciting.
Some fans will be happy, others will grumble.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^
30-6
Bonus prediction: a Michigan receiver exceeds 100 yards
October 11th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
Man, that's going to be a lot of 7 yard receptions for Ronnie Bell.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
48 to 17 good bois
October 11th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
Charbonnet runs for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns as we win 42 to 7. Patterson throws for 2 touchdowns and Milton for 1. I had a vision and it was good.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^
I predict--and praise--a lack of Juice and will watch gleefully as Illinois Peters out.
38 - 13
Ho! Ho! Ho! Go Blue!
October 11th, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
Slow start, strong 2nd and 3rd quarters, Harbaugh slams on the brakes in the 4th quarter to sit on the lead, offense loses it's momentum.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
41 - 3
Fumble leads to the only Illinois points.
October 11th, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
Michigan wins convincingly, 48-13, and it answers absolutely no questions about the team’s progress. Because it’s frickin Illinois.
We all still go into next weekend wondering if this team has any kind of identity on offense.
October 11th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
44 - 6
October 11th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
Michigan 45 - 6
October 11th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
Hey Big,
Appreciate your contributions to the board.
I find it hard to believe putting Dylan in to start the 2nd half against Wisconsin was Harbaugh waving the white flag and giving up any hope of a comeback. Every rational poster on this board knows that is not Jim's MO.
Do you think it's possible this was a sign the coaching staff was considering moving on from Shea after the Wisconsin game, giving Dylan pivotal experience on the road in a hostile environment? Of course Dylan gets concussed and we are stuck with Shea for Rutgers, ruining the optimal first opponent for Dylan to begin his career as a starter against.
If you think this is all bologne, how short is Shea's leash knowing Happy Valley is looming and with Dylan getting closer to returning?
October 11th, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^
IMO McCaffrey would've taken over as starter after Wisconsin had he not gotten hurt. I have no inside info or anything, just e-pinion.
October 11th, 2019 at 5:08 PM ^
Shea would have gotten the hook. He hasn't played well at all. It's not all his fault. It's a team game. Fault lies with the OL, WR's and TE's too. Need to cut Shea just a little bit of slack until Gattis/JH can figure out what we do well.
October 11th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
Any updates on Kwitty Paye?
October 11th, 2019 at 5:05 PM ^
Upper leg muscle. Questionable for Saturday. If he doesn't play it will be Danna followed by Upshaw or Vilain. Well, that's what I could gather from Facbook LOL or that dipshit Mineral king. He knows everything, right :).
October 11th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
Competent offense