Michigan @ Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Illinois 65, Michigan 67

THE STORY: No. 22 Michigan visits Illinois in a matchup of teams that have struggled after struggled after red-hot starts. The Wolverines, who are coming off a 24-16 loss to Iowa, have lost two of three after a 6-0 start. The Fighting Illini have lost three straight after a 6-0 start. Last time out, Illinois fell to Penn State 10-7. This will be the 93rd meeting between the schools. Michigan holds a 67-23-2 advantage and won most recently, 67-65 in triple overtime in 2010.

TV: ABC/ESPN. LINE: Michigan -1.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (7-2, 3-2 BIG TEN): Michigan, which is one game behind Michigan State in the Legends division, has the seventh-ranked defense in the nation, allowing less than 16 points. However, unless the Wolverines can limit turnovers, their late-season struggles will continue. Denard Robinson, who has accounted for 23 Wolverines touchdowns, turned the ball over twice (one fumble and one interception) in the loss to Iowa and has thrown 12 interceptions, which matches his total from all of last year. One area Michigan hasn’t struggled with is running the ball. Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint have combined for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground for the Wolverines, who average more than 237 rushing yards.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (6-3, 2-3 BIG TEN): Illinois’ recent struggles can be largely attributed to its lack of efficiency on offense. The Fighting Illini, who average more than 22 points, have outgained their opponents in each of their last three losses but have managed just 28 total points. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase leads the team in both passing and rushing. Scheelhaase has thrown for 1,687 yards, rushed for 501 and has scored a total of 12 touchdowns for the Fighting Illini, who average more than 198 yards on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan is 33-12-1 alltime in Champaign.

2. Illinois is 11-16 off a bye week and is 4-19 against ranked opponents under head coach Ron Zook.

3. The Wolverines have outscored opponents 239-85 from the second quarter on and 145-56 in the second half.

PREDICTION: Michigan 21, Illinois 17 – The Fighting Illini have struggled offensively and won’t get any handouts against one of the nation’s best defenses.