Thoughts on Illinois
I live and love Michigan football. I have season tickets and have witnessed everything so far this year.
That being said, I am in dire hope that tomorrow works out to be a win for us.
I cannot remember a time that I thought a game was not more important for us to win.
We have to establish the run early and continue until it is not necessary. Carlos needs to dominate and Tate needs to take control. It is time now to realize a bowl game this year and this is when we need to do it.
I am tired of the early season hype gone bad. This is a team that can get it done and needs to do it NOW!
GO BLUE!!!
October 30th, 2009 at 8:49 PM ^
Brilliant. You've offered fresh and insightful views on tomorrows game.
On a serious note, I agree we need to win this game. Even better would be to dominate this game. Here's hoping.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:49 PM ^
the run, they should win easily.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this Illinois team is garbage.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:06 PM ^
Carlos, Brandon, Shaw or whoever needs to take control of the running game and they need to do it tomorrow. There is no question about it. Establish the run and win by it.
I want to see a win tomorrow.
Go Blue!!
October 30th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
I hope you're right, but ... if we spot them 4-5 turnovers, then this game is a toss-up. And we've been quite prone to making easy turnovers, so I'm not quite as confident as you.
I have a crappy feeling we'll "play down to their level" tomorrow. Hope I'm wrong!
October 30th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
I'd like a Navy performance tomorrow. Run, run, run! If the receivers complain - run an end around. If the TEs complain, flare them out and run a reverse. Run Minor. Run Brown. Run Shaw. Run Peirre Rembert. Run Grady. Run Denard. Run Tate, Run Sheridan (to the sidelines with a clip board), Run Cone (to the ice cream stand). Just RUN THE BALL...
And please don't fumble.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:24 PM ^
I think the offense will score, no question. But until I see our defense, notably the secondary, stop someone I will continue to be worried about every game. I just don't see how Illinois won't throw at will based on our situation. Here's to me hoping that the D pulls it all together tomorrow..
October 30th, 2009 at 11:03 PM ^
Illinois sucks in every phase of the game.
If Michigan loses this one it will be a very, very tough pill to swallow.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:25 AM ^
I think we can establish the run, but I'd like to see more bubble screens and swing passes, it would give the QB's some easy completions to build confidence and spread the field in a relatively safe manner.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:48 AM ^
As I see it, all the angst about tomorrow's Illinois game has more to do with what's at stake than any legitimate concerns about the present quality of Illini football. Some people are listening to the little voices in the backs of their heads saying (i) that this game represents our best shot to get bowl eligible, and (ii) if we can't beat Illinois, then we probably have no shot against the rest of our remaining opponents.
I had a little voice like that too, but I smothered it with a maize & blue pillow.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
Last week against Penn State was the only game this season resembling Michigan football 2008, hopefully it will be our only horrific outing of the year.
It is going to be perfect football weather in Champaign/Urbana, 50 and sunny with a slight wind. Tate and Denard should enjoy not playing in a cold rain.
Moose has a full week to get re-acclimated with the Center position, we have 2 road games in tough environs under our belt, it is time to go out and execute on the road. I am hopeful last week was an anomaly and Michigan is ready for the home stretch. GO Blue