Illinois Score Predictions

Submitted by marc_from_novi on

I say Michigan bounces back in a big way. I've got M 40-17. Tate throws 3 TD passes, running backs combine for 250+ yards, BG nets 3 sacks and the secondary picks off 2 passes. All the Illini fans wearing "Ann Arbor is a whore" T-shirts leave in shame.

ijohnb

October 29th, 2009 at 6:29 PM ^

You will be hard pressed to find somebody that takes Michigan losses tougher than me, and this painful. I thought the storm had passed, but I see clouds in the near future, hopefully not in the long term forecast. This defense is in BAD shape, and I see RR as too stubborn to adjust his coaching style and offensive mindset to stop the bleeding. He badly needs to. M must begin to adhere to some mandates of winning - TOP, field position, and some degree of self-control. If M insists upon being masters off a style of football in which we are not even competent, the losses will mount. And at the risk of being literally kicked off this blog, if honesty is the policy, Illinois 31 - Michigan 17. Not even really close.

God- tell me I'm wrong....

bigmc6000

October 29th, 2009 at 6:44 PM ^

Are you still trying to beat that dead horse?

On a side note - Illinois' offense is markedly worse than our "stubborn" offense and their defense is just as sketchy. Even if you think all of that grades out even we have the Space Emperor and Brown and Stonum returning kicks - at least take off the "I hate this team" blinders to see that would ya?

As for me - 35-17 (our "stubborn" offense scores on their awful defense more than their offense scores on our "BAD" defense)

ijohnb

October 29th, 2009 at 6:52 PM ^

I am not beating a dead horse. I don't have blinders on. Penn State was alarming man, and the luster of ND has worn off. We are a flawed football team, and our approach right now is only enhancing our flaws. My post was not my desired result, just the conclusion that I have came too. I have considered this game quite a bit. I don't like the matchup right now. I think this game is trouble. Apologies.

chally

October 29th, 2009 at 9:10 PM ^

I'm also terrified that we're going to lose again this weekend. Against FBS teams, we've performed only slightly better than last year: we played ND roughly even, but had mistakes kill us last year; we played close, but lost to MSU; we got killed by PSU; and we played an overachieving undefeated team close and loss (Utah v. Iowa).

Last year, Illinois killed us. I can't buy into us being that much better or them being that much worse. I really hope I'm wrong, but if I had to put money on it, I'd guess 38-23.

ijohnb

October 30th, 2009 at 8:15 AM ^

It is honest and objective analysis. If we want this team to get where they should be, we have to accept where they are now. Perhaps this is a three year plan to reconstruct, although there have been some promising signs early this year, I feel that I am watching a team not far removed from last year in terms of execution and capability. I don't think that a loss to Illinois will destroy the season necessarily, looking at our current situation and our remaining schedule, I like our chanches against both Purdue and Wisky. I'm just looking at the overall circumstances - Illinois matches up well against us, mobile QB, fast on the edges, and they are beyond desperate. It just looks like a bad matchup, all things considered. I am not being negative. Things are not rosey right now. Are we 25 points better than we were last year at this time? Is Illinois 25 points worse with essentially the same roster? We are not a power right now who disposes of struggling foes in short order. In truth, we are about as good as Illinois right now, notwithstanding the records. On the road, absolute desperation from opponent with nothing to lose, coming off a fairly humbling defeat with already fragile mind set. Be objective here man, we are all fans or we would not be here, but objectivety will keep our expectations where they should be. That said, GO BLUE, surprize me, would make my weekend.

ijohnb

October 30th, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^

No, actually what I am saying is that Purdue is a good bounce back game at home and we'll go to Wisconsin with confidence coming off a win and the Badgers taking us lightly. It's not always whom you are playing but when you are playing them. I don't like Illinois on the road right now. Don't like the feel or the timing.

Hypnoticmoto

October 29th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^

Illinois does still have a lot of talent, and they may look at us as a team struggling. As long as we dont let them get any confidence/big plays early, and we play with speed, aggressiveness, and most of all pride, well have ourselves a 34-17 win.. Lets go Blue

doughboy

October 29th, 2009 at 8:24 PM ^

Little House on the Praire prediction - M 24, Illini 12. Pa gets a shiner from Mr. Olsen while accidentally cutting in line to get Ma a cider at halftime.

ajscipione

October 29th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^

for M in this game. They need to really come out and be disciplined and avoid mistakes. In that regard, I think they can respond. On the Illinois side, I think the coaches have a motivation problem and this will hurt Illinois for the rest of the season. Also, I don't think that their (Illinois coaches) tinkering with their offense is to their benefit (two quaterback rotation with Juice/Charest). Ron Zook seems to have lost this team. All-in-all M should capitalize. M 35, Illinois 14.

michman79

October 29th, 2009 at 10:35 PM ^

Brandon Graham has 3 safeties in endzone and Moosman lofts three snaps through the endzone to tie the game at 6-6 at the end of regulation, setting the record for most safeties in a game. In OT, Juice Williams throws a pick to Kovacs who returns it for a TD and gives Michigan the win 12-6. Unfortunately, Roh is flagged for a block in the back and the TD is called back. Illinois kicks a field goal. Next play, Denard runs 25 yards on a QB draw for a TD. TD is called back for a holding penalty on Huyge. Next play: Koger drops wide open TD. Next play: Webb drops wide-open TD. Next play: Denard gets wise, avoids the TE's, and hits Matthews down to the 4 yard line. Shaw runs it in for a TD and a Michigan win, 12-9. MGoBlog posts about a 9-3 record skyrocket and "Denard for Heisman" talks ensue.

ThWard

October 29th, 2009 at 11:01 PM ^

As I've said 100 times, UM won't win a conference game without scoring 30 this year. Yes, even against Illinois - dog shit as they've been, they're not far removed from the record-setting game last year. I hope to hell we get the offense rolling, but I don't see our D stopping them.

Illinois 31 UM 23. Oh to be gloriously wrong and mocked on Sunday!

fatbastard

October 30th, 2009 at 12:12 AM ^

we already know Nick is getting 1st team reps, and that the liklihood is that Tate and Nick get the time, with no more than a series at quarterback for drob (and hopefully no passes), and the weather is supposed to be 50s and dry, I'm betting no more than 2 turnovers.

I think we can compete with most anybody if we limit our turnovers and not put the defense in horrible field position like we did Saturday.

With that said, I think we run the ball again, and again, and then some more vs. Illinois. Brandon Minor will have 160 yards if he plays full time -- he probably won't given injury though, and it shouldn't be close enough to matter. Carlos goes for 130, Shaw 60 and Minor 40, 2 long td runs. Nick throws for 100 yards on 7-10 and Tate for 90 yards on 6 -11 with three TE drops. Denard throws an obligatory pick on the only 3rd down he sees action.

Michigan 31
Illinois 17

RagingBean

October 30th, 2009 at 12:47 AM ^

I honestly can't believe how one bad game has made this entire board shit its pants. Yes, last Saturday was no fun. But it was not indicative of our play all year long. We are a better team than that, or have you forgotten how damn good this offense can be?

Also, I know last year's Illinois game has people spooked, but seriously, just look at what they have done this year. Nothing, they have done nothing but look terrible and have the shit kicked out of them. I expect nothing less. M-38 I-17

blueblueblue

October 30th, 2009 at 11:35 AM ^

This season we barely beat one team we should have easily handled (IN), barely beat another that was a toss up (ND), lost to another toss-up (Iowa), beat three we should have beaten (EMU, DSU, WMU), lost one we should have won (MSU), and were blown out by a team that should have barely beaten us (PSU). One bad game? What season have you been watching? While we are better than last Saturday, our play was indicative of our season thus far - good at times, very bad at other times.

I find it hard to believe Ill doesn't play at least one good game this season. I think they are due to perform much better than they have been. I just hope it is not this Saturday.
M-33 I-30

goblue1

October 30th, 2009 at 12:50 AM ^

Illinois has for sure struggled this year it has been a surprise to me how bad they are doing, but they are at home this game against Michigan. I think the game will be a close one but I think the Wolverines will pull it out, Michigan by 3.
Michigan-20
Illinois-17

Rob
mgobluefootball.com

bigge1014

October 30th, 2009 at 2:50 AM ^

We have to remember that Juice smoked our defense last year, a defense some say was better than this years. So while I think Illinois will be able to score, they don't have enough firepower to win. Their defense is worse than ours, and our running game should dominate. UM wins 31-21.

Wide Open

October 30th, 2009 at 10:20 AM ^

J Leman ain't walking through that door. Kurt Kittner ain't walking through that door.

If we play a disciplined game it'll be in the 45-17 range. Screw it, I say we play a disciplined game Saturday!