Your Predictions for Michigan v. Illinois

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

I'm starting this thread to give everyone the chance to look stupid and to talk about something other than the horrors of Happy Valley. 

My (probably stupid) predictions: 

1. Both teams struggle to pass b/c of the wind (see thread below), and this helps cause a relatively low-scoring game. 

2. Michigan struggles against Illinois' ground game early but stiffens up as the game goes on.

3. Illinois comes out with terrible memories of last year and is fully prepared to stop Denard's single-wing runs. 

4. Michigan is sharp as far as not making mistakes, motivated by last week and memories of the 2009 game. 

5. Ron Zook does something stupid, and emotional/mental let-downs cost Illinois in several key moments.

6.  Michigan forces three turnovers and gives up only one.  This is the difference in the game.

Final score: Michigan 21 - Illinois 17

Your predictions?

koolaid

November 11th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^

I have to say that Illinois has struggled in the games against the same teams that we put away.  I think Michigan is the stronger team.  Michigan's offense is the difference in this one.  30-17 FTW.

ijohnb

November 11th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^

The Victors cruise, 34-21.  Denard breaks out on the ground for big plays in the first half.

I had Iowa all the way last week, just did not like it all week.  I feel good about this one.  M bounces back and gets back into the thick of the race.

MGoKereton

November 11th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^

This game is going to be much different than any other game this year.  Michigan is going to come out hot and score 14 quick points on the Illini, taking their fans momentarily out of the game.  Neither team will do much in the second quarter, with M going in with a halftime lead of 14-3.

The Illini come out and punch Michigan in the mouth on their opening drive and Michigan continues to struggle having consistent drives.  The Illini eventually take the lead 17-14 in the early 4th quarter.  Michigan puts together a drive that makes every one of us scream "Y U NO DO THAT THE WHOLE GAME" and we score the game winning TD, winning 21-17.

mistersuits

November 11th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^

Our mind-blowingly terrible turnovers plus this game being on the road in bad conditions tells me this game is going to play out identically to MSU and Iowa until they can prove different.

UM 17 - Illinois 31

profitgoblue

November 11th, 2011 at 1:06 PM ^

I agree with your prediction of an Illinois victory.  I went against my gut last week and picked Michigan (in hopes of not jinxing them) and was wrong.  This week, I actually see the defense taking a step back while Denard takes a step forward in his rushing attack (150+ yards on the ground). 

Illinois 42 - Michigan 33

Look Up_See Blue

November 11th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^

Yesterday I said Michigan wins 35-14 but that was before I heard anything about weather factors.  I am changing my prediction Michigan winning the game 24-16

BraveWolverine730

November 11th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^

Our edge problems continue and allow at least two big runs to their option attack.  Denard continues to struggle, especially with the wind and throws at least 2 more picks.  We put in NASCAR again in the fourth quarter to get back in it, but fall short aganist the Fighting Zooks 20-14. 

TrppWlbrnID

November 11th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^

Illinois gets Wisc at home next and then goes to Minn. so this kind of feels like a "last ditch effort at a home win" game, so iLL will have big effort, whereas UM is on the road playing the game before the game before THE GAME.

Illinois 27 UM 23

superstringer

November 11th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

So, my predictions for the Purdue game ("would be low scoring defensive struggle coming down to which team makes the least mistakes") and Iowa game ("we'll get up by big lead forcing them to abandon the run, and we win 45-17") both proved that I have exact knowledge of what will happen because I can forsee the exact opposite of what will happen.

Thus, my official prediction for the Illinois game is:  They crush us by like 30 points, we suck, Denard shouldn't be a QB, Martin and RVB both shake in fear of the Illini run game and will be replaced full-time by walkons, and our frosh CB should stop tweeting Diggs b/c he has no future in this program as the Illini will expose him to be the fraud he is.  That's my official prediction.  Yup.

Y'all can thank me after the game.

the_dude

November 11th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

We actually know how to play defense now! The Illini struggle against good defenses.

 

O$U: #14 scoring D, held them to 7 points

Paterno State Univ: #3 scoring D, held them to 7 points

 

We have the #10 scoring defense. I think we have a turnover or two that gives them a short field and they score more against us than they have against other top defenses. Our offense is probably most similar to the Northwestern one the Illini faced earlier this year. The Cats put up 35 points on the Illini.

Michigan 30, Illinois 17

snowcrash

November 11th, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^

This is going to be another defensive struggle that will probably be decided on a break. I give Ill a slight edge but only because they're at home. I would not be surprised at all if we win, but I would be surprised if the final margin either way is more than 8 points or if the total points exceed 40.

J. Lichty

November 11th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^

M sluggish to start game.  Late rally insufficient.  M struggles on 3rd down and long at least 3 times to keep long scoring drives alive.  Sheelhaase and Jenkins will have two big plays each.  Ford will look good off tackle early (will have 70-plus yards rushing in first half) and will be ineffective in second half with Illinois up 17, but will still average over 4.5 yards per carry and will top 100 yards.   Offensively, same script.  Move ball at times.  Denard refuses to scramble.  Two key drops and one key turnover in redzone keeps M down at least two scores until near the end of 3rd quarter. 

I felt much better about Iowa last week and in decent weather conditions, that didnt work out so well.  Feel much worse going in about this game.  This team really struggles on the road.

Shmallhorse

November 11th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^

1st Quarter:

  • Illinois scores on their first drive thanks to blown contain on the edge inside the redzone.
  • Michigan comes out flat, per usual, but manages a field goal late

2nd Quarter

  • Illini score a touchdown early thanks to a 20 yrd catch by jenkins (and more than a little help from Floyd's inability to cover not Cunningham/Floyd/McNutt.
  • Critical stop by the defense on 3rd and short at the Michigan 30, Zook punts despite having a great kicker, several fans heads explode.
  • Michigan's offense, bolstered by the defensive stop starts to find a rhythm behind Denard and Fitz - Scores touchdown with ~ 3 minutes left in the half
  • Defense bends but doesn't break - score at half 14-10 Illinois

3rd Quarter

  • Michigan comes out swinging on offense, scores touchdown on Denard's legs thanks to a broken play that goes for 35 yards.
  • Illinois answers with a methodical drive, taking ~6 minutes off the clock.
  • Martin and RVB BEASTMODE ENGAGE! Illini lose 2 TO's thanks to aforementioned BEASTMODE! but Michigan doesn't convert and Denard throws a mindblowing interception to tacopants.

4th Quarter

  • Gallon Clocking Device Activation results in a Michigan touchdown.
  • Wheels fall off of Illini offense and Scheelhaase is sacked 3 more times.
  • Gardner arm punts with ~4 minutes left, but Illinois can't capitalize.

Final Score: 24-21 Michigan

snoopblue

November 11th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

As much as I want to say we will lose this game, Illinois is prone to turn the ball over. They have athletes, yes, but they are not disciplined in any aspect of the game. Kovacs gets an INT, big sack. Gordon forces a fumble. Countess gets a pick too. I pray they let Denard loose on the ground and run a lot of misdirection with Smith and Toussaint. 38-31 Michigan