Illinois is 1-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play - the only winless team in conference. But Saturday’s game is hardly a gimme for Michigan. Here are five reasons beat writer Dave Birkett believes it’s OK to fear the Illini.
Benn there, done that: Williams has the most talented receiver in the Big Ten at his disposal in Arrelious Benn. The junior has just 25 catches for 287 yards and no touchdowns this year, but he missed the better part of two games with injuries and began to show signs of life two weeks ago against Indiana (nine catches, 95 yards). He could have a field day against Michigan’s subpar secondary.
Security detail: Michigan ranks last in the Big Ten with a minus-7 turnover margin and has a whopping 13 turnovers in four conference games. Illinois isn’t much better - 10 turnovers in five Big Ten games - but poor ball security on the road is always a recipe for disaster.
Health clinic: Center David Molk is out for the season with a torn ACL. Running back Brandon Minor (ankle, heel), and receivers Martavious Odoms (knee) and Junior Hemingway (knee) are questionable with injuries, and there are still legitimate concerns about quarterback Tate Forcier’s shoulder. Michigan’s once potent offense hardly resembles its September self.Power of one: Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and Illinois’ Ron Zook both expressed sentiment this week that the Illini are one Saturday away from turning things around. “I really felt like it was going to happen last week, particularly in the third quarter there, we got a little mojo going and you could feel it for the first time in a few weeks,” Zook said. “I think the thing is we’re not as far away as it seems, even though it seems like we’re light years away.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
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