So how about some Illinois talk?

Illinois all year.  They have physically whipped us 2 years in a row and I don't see that changing.  Only a monster game from our offense would give us a chance.

I don't see this game being much different than recent games, but I think we'll have another sharp offensive effort and Denard leads us to a last second, nailbiting win: 38-35.

while our D will continue to give up some huge plays, I think we'll be more aggressive and force a turnover or 2.

200/200 game for denard, as he runs 25+ times again. 

I could say that I see the defense getting it together and making some strides against a poor passing offense, I don't see it.  I think Illinois will probably have one of its biggest outputs of the year, both on the ground and through the air.  The one MUST if you are Michigan, we have to protect the endzone better than we have.  I think Illinois will move the ball pretty much as every other Big Ten team has, but we really need to get some red zone stops.  Take away one or god forbid two touchdowns and insert fieldgoals, and these games look entirely different going into the half.

On offense, I would begin this game trying to establish Denard as a passer.  If Illinois is at all allowing for, I would like to see some bubbles and other designed plays to the outside to soften up the interior of the defense to actually run the ball with our running backs, a novel concept I know.  At some point, Denard's running needs to be something in our back pocket that can be relied upon at opportune times as opposed to our first and second down play on every series.  I am not a "it won't work in the Big Ten," but I think that if Denard is asked to be the centerpeice of the offense as has been the case, teams will continue to clamp down in the red zone and we will continue to gain a lot of shiny yards that don't amount to much. 

If DRob throws a pass to Roundtree who gets tackled at the one, I'm leaving