Illinois gave up 28 points to a decent but inconsistent Purdue offense last week. That doesn't mean I's defense will not challenge Michigan. My armchair thinking is that the outcome will hinge more on Michigan's defense than its offense.
The success of Michigan offense is dependent upon being able to run the football and are built to run with both edge speed and power. Purdue is winning via passing and they did that really well last week keeping I off balance all game. M has a solid short and intermediate passing game but our long passing game has been a work in progress all year. I thought Illinois has been pretty solid in defending against the run all year and wonder if we will be as successful running against them as we have against everyone else this year. I feel confident M will win but if Illinois has success shutting down our rush, this could be a tight game.
The fight to keep UCLA in the Pac12 seems to be coming down to the end. I wonder if the Board of Regents votes to refuse to let UCLA leave the PAC12, what happens to the deal with USC? The University of California regents will decide Dec. 14 whether UCLA can depart the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. The regents met Thursday in San Francisco and discussed whether to "affirm, overturn, or abstain" from action on UCLA's decision to become a Big Ten member in 2024, scheduling a new meeting to make their final decision. "Following a report and discussion on the impacts of conference realignment related to the student-athlete experience, the Board of Regents announced that it will hold a special meeting on December 14th to make a final determination regarding UCLA's intention to join the Big Ten conference," the group said in a statement released Thursday. "This additional time will allow the Board to fully consider the information presented today and address any additional questions that arise. It will also allow the Office of the President to make specific recommendations on how the university will better support and enhance the student-athlete experience."
I'm very interested to watch this game to see how well the Ill and the fighting Bielema's handle the X running game. Thoughts and prayers to Coach B on the loss of his mother this week. I expect the Illini to be ready to play and give an emotional effort
Weather in South Bend is going to be brutal, snow and wind temps n the 20s. What's it going to be like in Ann Arbor?
What's it going to be like in Ann Arbor?[/QUOTE] Mid 20s, partial sunny and clouds, winds 14 MPH! You are welcome
Navy must have figured something out in the 2nd half vs Notre Dame. They went to Orlando and beat #17 UCF 17-14. If it holds, and it's late 3rd qtr, but Vanderbilt is up on the Gators 21-12. That would be big for Clark Lea and the Commodores. Surprisingly the Aggies are not blowing out UMass it's only 13-3 start of 4th qtr.
Dogfight in Ann Arbor. 10-10 in the 3Q. Looked like Corum suffered a serious knee injury at the end of the first half but returned for 1 play in the 3rd.
Corum has not played since that 1 play. McCarthy having a rough passing day. Brown just ran for his 2nd TD. M is in a world of hurt late in the 3rd.
Baylor somehow escapes with the win 29-28. I'll be curious to find out how they got the ball back after they scored to get it close at 28-26. Vanderbilt holds on to beat the Gators. They have a little 2 game win streak going! Good for Clark Lea. Michigan also escapes with a late FG 19-17.
Whew. Very fortunate to escape with a W. Illinois brought their A game today while our passing game is D+ at best.
You called it, Bobda. Illinois’ defense. I actually switched from the ND game to watch the last minute.
Looks like a replica of the Michigan Illini game, at least for the first half of the game with the Terps. Too many silly penalties and Tag is out performing Stroud. Henderson dances around too much. I would like to see another running back in the second half.
Harbaugh said post game that his knee is “structurally sound”. My guess is that when translated from coachspeak, he is dealing with a strained knee ligament.
Longhorns are bouncing back from the TCU loss and hammering KU, it' 41-7 going into the 4th qtr. Longhorns have run the ball down their throats from looking at the stats. Ewers has only thrown for 92 yards so far but Bijan Robinson has already run for 240 yds.