Your Predictions for Michigan v. Illinois
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?
November 11th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^
Michigan wins, 35-10.
November 11th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
holds AJ to zero catches.
Meanwhile JT Floyd gives up 7 catches for 110 yards and two td's while attempting to cover AJ. Michigan lets Scheelhasse run wild in the first half and containing him in the second half. Michigan wins a close one 17-16
November 11th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
This may sound crazy but I woke up from a dream this morning where I was watching the game and Michigan was leading 20-0 at the start of the 3rd quarter.
Not quite a final score prediction but I hope we bring our A-game early!
November 11th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
I really don't feel good about this one. Sure Illinois has struggled with teams we beat, but Iowa had their lulwutMinnesota moment too. Also, the fact that for some reason we are seen as a rival by Illinois could be troubling. The weather could be trash tornado (minus trash) V2, and our last few outings in Champaign haven't been great. I just feel like there is too much stuff going against the good guys.
Michigan 17
Illinois 28
November 11th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
Michigan - 17
Illinois - 14
I just don't see this being a high-scoring affair, but I think our D will be up to the challenge.
On a different note, is there any fanbase as pessimistic as ours? I am really surprised by all of the predictions here with Illinois winning. Don't get me wrong, I have my fears about this game and won't be completely surprised if we lose, but I am surprised at how many people have predicted Illinois to win. +1 for us not being a bunch of homers, I guess.
November 11th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
67-65 in triple OT, Tate with the game winner baby!!
November 11th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
M-26
Illini-7
Quit being pessimistic and enjoy life, fergodsakes.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
Maybe you equate predicting the score of a college football game with being able to enjoy life, but that's your problem.
November 11th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^
Where the F is THE KNOWLEDGE fergodsakes.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^
I think our defense is playing well enough to challenge their offense. That being said, I have very little faith in the abilities of our offense on the road, against a decent defense, + strong winds (see MSU game. Granted, Illinois D does not = MSU D). Big Al is trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, imo, and Denard, as fantastic of an athlete as he is, is a sub-par passer. Combine that fact with strong winds and you have a limp offense, that is, unless we are unable to establish a running game. Illinois did lay an egg at Purdue, a team which we beat pretty handily, so there is some hope. Please, Please...8-2. A loss at Illinois would be the opposite of good on many levels. It would seriously affect the psyche of the team going into two tough games against Nebraska and OSU.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
Illinois. If it was at home, I'd be picking us by a comfortable margin. We're just not good enough yet to beat decent or better teams if we don't bring our A game, and we've had trouble doing that so far on the road.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^
21 to 14..
November 11th, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
as saying i had a feeling we would lose our last 4 games.
I really thought we would beat Iowa if we beat anyone in the last 4....
I think we struggle again on offense.
Illini 27 Michigan 14
November 11th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
November 11th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
Seconded. Last week I found rage I didn't know I had because of that man.
November 11th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
Postgame blackout. Illini 42 Michigan 24
November 11th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
I have a terrible feeling about this one. I think offensive struggles reach rock bottom this week. 28-10 loss.
November 11th, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^
45-31 michigan
November 12th, 2011 at 6:13 AM ^
by two scores ....And will look alot better than they did in the Iowa game...(hard to be much worse)
November 11th, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^
I picked Iowa to win and Michigan to clown on the road. I thought M's run game would attack the edges more, but it was power running all over the place vs. Iowa. If we want to continue the trend of attacking a defense on the ground with what it practices against every day, we might see some option looks. The mixture of plays has been so goofy at times, who knows what we might see tomorrow. Michigan must breathe new life into its I-formation sets for true MANBALL status. Yes, that means play-action passes on 2nd and long. The system is getting receivers open, but things are not quite clicking for one reason or another.
Will the winning formula for the offense be discovered on Saturday? I only hope that we do not throw 31 times in a wind storm again. Seriously, just direct snap to a guy and plow straight ahead if you can't think of a good run play at the moment (cough 4th and inches cough).
17-13 Zookers. Great defensive effort from both teams. Two interceptions and one turnover on downs will seal the deal, man.