Joel Klatt Predicts Outcome of Top 25 College Football Showdown in Week 8

It has not been smooth sailing for the Michigan Wolverines, who are 4-2 coming into Week 8 under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. After winning the national title in 2023, Michigan has already lost to the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies this season.

After losing last year's starting quarterback, JJ McCarthy, to the NFL draft, play at the position has been inconsistent. Davis Warren and Alex Orji have combined for nine games played under center. However, they also combined for 592 passing yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Cut to Michigan's last game against the Washington Huskies, and the quarterback struggles continued with Orji under center. Then, in the second quarter, Indiana Hoosiers transfer Jack Tuttle came in at quarterback, and the offense looked competent.

On Tuttle's first drive under center, Michigan found the end zone in eight plays. Tuttle led the Wolverines to a field goal on the following drive just before halftime and threw a touchdown pass on the team's first drive of the second half. Michigan ended up losing to Washington 27-17, but Tuttle finished the game with 98 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

No. 24 Michigan takes on the No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 8 as Bret Bielema's team comes in at 5-1. Quarterback Luke Altmyer leads the Illinois offense with 1,426 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and one interception.

Although Illinois is the higher-ranked team, Joel Klatt picked Michigan to beat Illinois on the road on a recent episode of " The Joel Klatt Show ." Klatt predicted a 24-21 Michigan win and Illinois covering ESPN BET's three-and-a-half-point spread.

"I actually like Michigan 24-21, but I like Illinois to cover in this game," Klatt said. "This game is at Illinois. I think you're going to have to see a quality version of Michigan, which I'm anticipating, so that's where I see this game. 24-21, a three-point win for Michigan, but a three-and-a-half point spread. Illinois covers."

The last time Illinois won a ranked vs. ranked matchup at home was in 1991.

Meanwhile, the Michigan-Illinois kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Related: Joel Klatt Has 'Deep Concern' For Major College Football Program After Week 2