Michigan vs Illinois Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines
By Pete Fiutak,
13 hours ago
Michigan still has time to rise up and be a factor. It had two weeks off after the 27-17 loss to Washington, but it still has Oregon, at Indiana, and at Ohio State as part of the Big Ten schedule.
It hasn’t lost to Illinois since 2009, but it’ll be in a decent fight in Champaign.
The Illini lost to Penn State is a 21-7 battle that was better than the final score, and survived a horrible Purdue team in overtime that was worse than the 50-49 final score. It gets Oregon next, but for now, getting by the Wolverines is enough of a problem.
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore celebrates a play during first-half action between Michigan and Minnesota at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.
Michigan vs Illinois How to Watch Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024 Game Time: 3:30 pm ET Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL How to Watch: CBS Illinois (5-1), Michigan (4-2) - Week 8 Schedule, Predictions
Why Michigan Will Win
The two weeks off should help.
Remember how much this program as a whole has been through over the last few years, Michigan played against Washington like it could use a bit of a break.
Illinois might be 5-1, but it’s not stopping teams on third downs, and the offensive line isn’t stopping anyone’s pass rush.
Everyone wants to keep the chains moving, but for a Michigan team that doesn’t have much of a passing game, third down conversions are everything. Illinois allows teams to convert 45% of their chances.
The Wolverine pass rush has ramped up with 13 over the last three games after coming up with four in the first three. Illinois is dead last in the Big Ten in the tackles for loss allowed and sacks allowed. But … Midseason Predictions for Every Team & Game ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC | IND & Pac-12 AAC | CUSA | MAC | MWest | Sun Belt
Yeah, teams are throwing against the Wolverines because they can’t run on them, but when teams do hit 100 yards on the ground this season, they win. Michigan allowed 100 yards to Texas and Washington, and less than that to everyone else.
But everyone - including Arkansas State, Fresno State, and Minnesota - all cranked up at least 235 yards through the air.
Illinois hasn’t been too bad on the ground - actually it has, at least against FBS teams - but Luke Altmyer and the passing game have been fun.
Again with the raw numbers. Illinois has thrown for over 190 yards against everyone but Penn State - 185 yards in that - and won the five games when it hit the mark.
Going back to last season and the national title run, Michigan has allowed over 190 passing yards in nine in the last 11 games.
Michigan vs Illinois: Who Will Win
Can Michigan find its groove again on offense?
The lines are still strong enough to hang around with everyone, and the Illinois performance against Purdue didn’t exactly inspire confidence, but here’s where the Big Ten season takes a little bit of a turn.
Illinois won’t be perfect, but it’ll overcome being powered on for 200 yards with a few big drives in the fourth quarter of a close game. Michigan will finally be held up on the ground, the passing attack will fail, and Illinois will be a story at 6-1.
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